Health & Fitness
How COVID-19 can mimic gastrointestinal cancer
A recent study in the United States showed that two-thirds of patients with COVID-19 experienced some type of stomach or GI symptom.
As more is learned about COVID-19, experts say gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as diarrhea or nausea can be early warning signs of the virus.
A recent multi-hospital study in the United States showed that two-thirds of patients with COVID-19 experienced some type of stomach or GI symptom. Some early reports from China also indicated that nearly half of COVID-19 patients also had some GI symptoms.
Individuals with gastrointestinal or stomach cancer may not only experience more severe GI symptoms with COVID-19, they may also have difficult ascertaining if their symptoms are due to the cancer or COVID-19. Many people with cancer also experience diarrhea, nausea or vomiting during their cancer treatment.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of coronavirus may develop within 2 to 14 days of exposure. Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
It’s worth noting that GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea are so common among people with cancer that many also see a gastroenterologist to help deal with their symptoms.
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Additional symptoms of GI cancer include:
- Feeling full or bloated after eating a small amount of food
- Bloody stools
- Stomach pain
- Changes in bowel movements
- Unexplained weight loss
- Problems swallowing
While it may be difficult to tell if GI symptoms are due to cancer or a COVID-19 infection, people should contact their doctor immediately if they are experiencing any symptoms. If they believe they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, they should be sure to alert their physician so they can properly prepare for the office visit.
Because cancer patients are at higher risk for COVID-19, experts urge them to take extra caution. The CDC recommends frequent hand washing, covering your cough or sneeze, wearing a face mask, routine wiping down of frequently-touched hard surfaces in your home, practicing social distancing and avoiding large crowds to help prevent the spread of the virus.
For updates on COVID-19, check EEHealth.org/coronavirus.
