The new surge in covid 19 cases has become a matter of great concern today. The covid virus is changing its course and the newer, mutating covid strains are said to be quite stronger and capable of much more lethal attacks on the body. This 2nd wave of covid is causing more unusual signs and vague symptoms apart from fever and cough. The symptoms of 2nd wave of covid include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, weakness, loss of appetite. This is highly contagious and attacks vital organs more profoundly.

The severity of covid is highest for those suffering from co-morbidities. Cancer patients are more vulnerable to covid 19 and thus have to be extra cautious. Covid 19 poses more risk to cancer patients in the following ways.

1. Few symptoms of 2nd wave of covid 19 include classic symptoms of cancer like weakness and loss of appetite which may lead to delayed diagnosis of covid, increased viral load in the body leading to vital organ failure.

2. Cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy which is cytotoxic treatment will cause increased susceptibility for infection and also develops severe attacks. So it is recommended to withhold or postpone or switch to alternative methods until the end of the covid 19 pandemics.

3. Prolonged interruption of the anti-tumor treatment may cause cancer disease progression.

4. There are higher chances of recurrence of covid 19 in recovered patients who are receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

5. If cancer patients develop the new mutant covid 19, chances of organ dysfunction are more if they have gone through certain treatments like removal of the kidney.

Cancer patients will often be immunocompromised where the capacity to fight back the disease will not be enough. If cancer patients are older and are with co-morbidities, the fightback capacity will become much weaker and makes the patients critically ill.

Thus it is very important to follow all public health measures.

Get vaccinated and follow the guidelines to protect yourself from the 2nd wave of covid 19.