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Ionizing Radiations in the Management of COVID-19 Infection: A Narrative Review

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

3 Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

4 School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

10.30476/smsj.2026.106471.1619

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in the management of this infection. Ionizing radiation has long been leveraged in medicine for essential purposes, including the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies and infections. Nuclear medicine exploits these radiations in imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), which provide valuable insights for diagnosis, follow-up, and understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, computed tomography (CT), which utilizes X-ray radiation, plays an important role in diagnosing COVID-19 respiratory infection. Targeted radionuclide therapies—such as those employing Auger electron emitters and alpha particles—have been investigated as potential therapeutic tools against SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, gamma and X-rays are deployed in the sterilization of medical equipment and the production of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. This narrative review aimed to briefly examine the applications of ionizing radiations in the management of COVID-19 infection, with an emphasis on recent developments. While further research is required for clinical implementation, ionizing radiation offers considerable current and potential applications in the battle against COVID-19.
 

Keywords

References
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Available Online from 28 May 2026
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