Discovering radioactivity, Marie Curie was exposed to an overwhelming amount of radiation, which eventually resulted in a development of aplastic anemia, and her death. Because of her research and work to find this as well as polonium and radium, the radiation prevented enough new blood cells from being produced in her body. Because there was not a sufficient amount of blood cells, including white blood cells, her immune system began to deteriorate and many symptoms began to occur. Aplastic anemia mainly leaves one feeling fatigue and gives you a higher risk of infections and bleeding. She experienced symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heart rate, pale skin, frequent infections, easy bruising, nosebleeds and bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding, skin rashes, dizziness, and headaches (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Additionally, because there is a deficiency in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, Marie Curie lacked the cell-mediated and the humeral response. The low amount of oxygen circulating through her body slowly declined the functions of her organs as respiration was irregular, and could not be maintained. For this reason, her aplastic anemia worsened over time and it eventually led to her death, assuming there was no treatment or medications she could have taken then.

References

Aplastic anemia. (2018, March 6). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/apl….

Zeng, Y., & Katsanis, E. (2015). The complex pathophysiology of acquired aplastic anaemia. Clinical and experimental immunology, 180(3), 361–370. doi:10.1111/cei.12605