What is a common effect of exposure to high levels of radiation over a short period?

Exposure to high levels of radiation over a short period, often referred to as acute radiation exposure, can lead to a range of immediate physiological effects. One of the most common acute effects experienced is nausea. This is part of the body's immediate response to the disruption caused by high doses of radiation, which can damage rapidly dividing cells, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms such as nausea and vomiting within hours of exposure.

While other effects like skin erythema (redness of the skin), hair loss, and cataracts can occur with radiation exposure, they typically develop over a longer period or require different circumstances of exposure. Therefore, nausea is particularly characteristic of acute exposure scenarios.