6. Frequent Infections: When It’s Not Just Bad Luck
Now, let’s say you find yourself falling prey to every bug that’s going around. You catch colds easily, and lung infections like bronchitis or pneumonia seem to have you on speed dial. Frequent infections are a less-known, yet serious indicator of lung cancer, particularly when they recur or don’t fully resolve with treatment.
Infections are common; everyone gets them. But the distinction here is frequency and persistence. If you find that you’re constantly on a carousel of antibiotics, yet your symptoms don’t show any real sign of letting up, that’s your cue to dig deeper. It might be that your immune system is compromised, not just from the infections, but because it’s preoccupied with something more sinister.
Interestingly, the location of these recurrent infections can offer a clue. Are they always in the same part of the lung? Do they resist multiple courses of treatment? If so, that could indicate a blockage caused by a tumor, which is creating a breeding ground for bacteria. (6)
