The flu and cancer are not the same ailments. One may be seasonal, while the other, if not properly detected and treated in a timely manner, may be deadly.
Experts say that because these symptoms frequently coexist, it may be difficult to diagnose and treat the disease quickly. As a result, even if you have the deadly C virus, you could choose to dismiss it as a seasonal illness.
The flu is exceedingly contagious, and fever, aches in the muscles, and coughing are all indicators that you have an infection. However, according to medical professionals, testing is the only surefire method to find out whether you have the flu. However, there are occasionally subtle indicators that might help you differentiate between the flu and other illnesses.
It's crucial to recognize the similarities between flu-like symptoms and symptoms, as many of them might overlap, according to experts. Some typical cancer symptoms that might be mistaken for the flu are listed below:
Fatigue
Although feeling exhausted and fatigued is common during a flu episode, this is not the same feeling you get after a long day at work or at the gym. Severe exhaustion that does not improve with rest may indicate cancer early on.
Studies show that utilizes the nutrients in your body to spread and flourish, therefore when those nutrients aren't reviving your body, you feel weaker.
A common symptom: Fever
High temperatures can be a typical sign of cancer as well as the flu, according to Johns Hopkins. Recurring fever in cancer patients should not be disregarded; in the case of the flu, it goes away when the virus subsides.
Take extra care if:
- Most fevers occur at night.
- You don't exhibit any more symptoms of illness. You get sweats at night.
- As a symptom, fever is common in cancer patients. According to medical professionals, it indicates that the cancer has progressed to a more advanced stage.
Body aches
Another symptom that can be brought on by a wide range of medical conditions, the majority of which are not cancer, is body aches and pains. However, chronic pain may also be a sign of a hidden illness.
Pain from cancer can be caused by several factors, such as:
- A tumor or lump pressing against another part of your body
- The chemical compounds that a malignancy releases
- Metastasis, or the spread of cancer from its original site
It is advisable to consult your doctor if you experience persistent discomfort that you are unsure of the source of.
Breathing difficulties
Shortness of breath and other respiratory problems can be brought on by a severe case of the flu.
According to medical professionals, patients with cancer in or near their lungs may also have these symptoms. Breathing problems may arise from some malignancies that move to the lungs from other regions of the body and constrict the tubes that deliver air into your lungs, according to Cancer Research UK.
Chronic cough
Coughing is your body's natural method of getting rid of foreign contaminants, therefore there are an array of reasons why it might happen. Coughing can be caused by colds, allergies, the flu, or even low humidity.
But in the case of , you can have a long-lasting, chronic cough that doesn't go away even after treatment. Hoarseness may result from the frequent coughing. It sometimes may also be a sign of thyroid cancer, according to doctors.
You might also be interested in - 14-year-old invents soap to treat skin cancer, named ‘America’s top young scientist’