(ARS) The acute radiation syndrome is a form of radiation sickness. An acute radiation syndrome can be developed after the exposition to a high radiation dose received in a short period of time (e.g., x-rays or gamma rays). ARS subsyndromes include hematopoietic, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and neurovascular diseases. The reaction will vary with dose and factors like age, medical co-morbitdity and immunosuppression.