I had RAI & was never told any thing about staying away from my husband and 1 year old.
That was 18 yrs ago, and NOTHING happened...
Dr Lupo,
Thank you for your reply. It is a shame no research has been done on the subject. I agree that proper isolation and safety protocols would protect family members, however I do not believe the protocols followed in the US are proper (the rest of the world keeps RAI patients isolated in the hospital for several days, longer if there are children at home).
Furthermore, as a practicing physician, I'm sure you can appreciate the fact that patients (and family members) do not follow the proper procedures. Pottasium Iodide is cheap and effective... if it is safe it should probably be standard protocol for protecting family members. (They would have considerable exposure, if say the RAI patient were to vomit at home)
I do not think that there is any research on this particular question. I would imagine the dose would be the same as a radio active emergency. Most of the time proper isolation and radiation safety protocols would prevent any contamination of the family member. You should talk with our treating doctor or nuclear medicine specialist regarding your concerns.