COVID-19 or lung cancer: Key differences to note

Several respiratory function-related infections and disease can produce similar symptoms, and people might mistake something too serious as a disease perhaps not-so-serious. Firstly, it is best to consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms pointing at a health issue. Even if you think it could be something temporary, it is advised to consult your doctor anyways, just to be sure.

One such case of confusing symptoms is between COVID-19 and lung cancer. Lisa Jaques, lead cancer nurse at Perci Health, UK, shared with Express UK some of the similar as well as differentiating symptoms between the two deadly health conditions.

Lung cancer can happen when cells in your lungs begin to grow uncontrollably. People who smoke have the greatest risk of lung cancer. Still, this condition can also develop in those who have never smoked. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, accounting for almost 25% of all cancer deaths.

According to Jaques, similar symptoms between COVID and lung cancer include:

-Cough

-Breathlessness

-Fatigue

-Recurrent chest infections

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In terms of the onset of symptoms, signs of the disease tend to start more suddenly if you are infected with Coronavirus. You may also experience fever, or a loss of sense of taste or smell, in case of COVID-19.

It may be easier to identify that you have COVID if you are experiencing multiple signs more common with the dominant Coronavirus variant. Some of these include:

-High temperature

-A loss or change in sense of smell or taste

-Shortness of breath

-Feeling exhausted

-Body aches

-Headache

-Sore throat

-Blocked or runny nose

-Loss of appetite

-Diarrhoea

-Feeling sick

In the initial stages of lung cancer, there are hardly any symptoms. These start showing when the disease is advanced. Some signs include:

-New cough that doesn't go away

-Coughing up blood, even if it is a small amount

-Shortness of breath

-Chest pain

-Hoarseness

-Unexplained weight loss

-Pain in bones

-Headache

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The health ministry updated on Wednesday that India saw a single-day rise of 501 new Coronavirus infections. The active cases have declined from 7,918 to 7,561. Currently, the total Covid cases stand at 4,46,66,676. Further, the death toll has climbed to 5,30,535 – with two more fatalities -- one each from Rajasthan and Delhi.