Why was I not's allowed to work with children after my HIDA scan?

[sacabeans]

How dangerous is it to go to school (as an elementary teacher) after having a HIDA scan?  The doctor said that I was "hot" or radioactive for 24 hours after having the scan and that I should not go back to school.  Is this a conservative concern or is it a real threat?  

[trvvn5]

I'm a Nuclear Medicine Technology student and my understanding is that he was simply being incredibly cautious.  You are technically radioactive for a short period of time.  But the amount of radiation a person gives off is very low.  The problem with being around children is that they are growing rapidly.  Any cell that divides quickly, or reproduces at a rapid rate is more susceptible to radiation than any other cell that divides at a slower rate.  This is why people lose their hair and get very nauseous when they undergo radiation treatment for cancer.  Because those cells divide very rapidly, they are more likely to be destroyed.  So technically you could be dangerous to a child because of their rapid growth.  But in a more realistic view, you aren't enough of a risk to be honestly concerned about.