If you have respiratory symptoms, your doctor can use several tests to find out what is causing themfor example, if you have a sinus infection, COVID, or another condition. COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and may have gastrointestinal symptoms, too. Sinus infections can also cause loss of sense of taste or smell, higher fever, fatigue, and aches in the body. Note:Antibiotics wont help a viral infection, and taking anantibiotic unnecessarilycan do more harm than good. Editors note: As what we know about COVID-19 evolves, so could the information in this story. Those two conditions were "a hallmark of the first disease and of delta and not nearly as prominent in omicron," says Mount Sinai's Carr. Get the best food tips and diet advice every single day, Now, you'll have the best and latest food and healthy eating news right in your inboxevery Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. "The difference was huge," says data scientist Rong Xu, who led the study and is also at Case Western Reserve University. "Omicron versus delta are really more similar than they are different.". Find our most recent COVID-19 articles here and learn the latest in COVID-19 prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although you can get sinusitis year around, it tends . Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID. However, it may be helpful to avoid the substances you know youre allergic to as often as you can. However, if you develop severe illness, you may need to receive medical care in the hospital. A doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery if you're experiencing recurrent sinus infections or have a sinus blockage. <Don't Ignore Nose Dripping, Don't Ignore Sinus - TheHealthSite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use saline spray two to three times per day in each nostril. To help alleviate your symptoms, stock up on nonprescription pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants and cough drops. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); While sinus infections (also known as sinusitis) share many symptoms with the common cold and can be a complication of it, there are some key differences. Bacterial and fungal sinus infections often arise this way. As with sinus infections, symptom management as your body develops immunity and fights off the infection is central to care. How to know if those are Omicron COVID symptoms, or just a common cold Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "In the older age group, it's still a nasty disease, even if it's less [nasty] than the delta variant," says Dr. Pamela Davis, who's a pulmonologist at Case Western Reserve University and a senior author on the new study. Post COVID Sinus Infections: Omicron Update - Dr. Aaron Rogers | Atlanta If you develop any respiratory symptoms and they do not seem to be getting better, its important to see your doctor. South Africa's largest health insurer listed nasal congestion, sore or scratchy throat, dry cough and lower back pain as common Omicron symptoms. And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. They are highly contagious, with younger children, seniors, those with respiratory conditions, and those with compromised immunity more prone. Loss of taste or smell was even less common, as the chart below shows. How can you tell whether your infection is viral or bacterial based on your symptoms? While there is a range of COVID symptoms, some of the most common include: Several symptoms of COVID overlap with those of a sinus infection, which means you will not be able to be sure of which condition you have by how you feel alone. While it's welcome news that omicron is easier on the lungs, ProHEALTH's Griffin says it's not that way for some of his patients. Then the researchers looked to see if there was a difference between people infected during the end of the delta wave and those infected during the early stage of the omicron wave. Omicron seems to be milder, but does seem to cause infections in many people with the vaccine. Glasses vs. contacts: Which is safer for eyes. Then check in with your doctor for a prescription and let him or her know if your condition worsens. Omicron and its Subvariants: A Guide to What We Know Sure Signs You Have an Omicron Infection - MSN Also explore types, prevention, and more. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { You cannot rule out COVID-19 without a test, says UNC Health family medicine physician Sarah Ruff, MD. In particular, Xu and her team observed a similar reduction in risk across all age groups, including children under age 5, who are not eligible for vaccination, and children ages 5 to 15, who may have been vaccinated but haven't been boosted. COVID is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. What Is a Sinus Infection? What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result, What to Know About Pneumonia and COVID-19. While in the past this has usually turned out to be a sinus infection, youre not so sure this time. However, these conditions arent the same thing. Some patients of course are much more ill, with about 5 to 10% needing hospital care, and for those patients sinus infection or ear symptoms may go untreated for longer. If you have respiratory symptoms, you might fear that you have COVID. But Roberts says it's still quite rare for people who are vaccinated and boosted to get seriously ill from omicron. Cardiology, Health Disparities, Heart and Vascular Health, Heart Attacks, Research, Women's Health. Allergies can be chronic or seasonal, but avoidance and medication can help alleviate your symptoms. This lower risk with omicron is also consistent with what scientists have observed in South Africa and the United Kingdom. "Cough is still part of the symptoms," Moreno said. Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. This type of reaction is caused by a negative response to a substance. The symptoms of a sinus infection include coughing, congestion fever and headacheall of which are symptoms of COVID-19, too. "Those individuals that are boosted, within five days, seven days of their onset of symptoms, their energy level comes back," he said. And after COVID being around for almost 2 years now, it's no surprise that people are starting to become less reactive to it. For example, the virus that causes the common cold attacks the lining of your sinuses and causes them to swell up. every day. Learn about treatments to help release the pressure and clear up a toothache. A sinus infection, or sinusitis, occurs when your nasal passages get infected. Its also possible to have both conditions at the same time. Read our. COVID-19 vs. Flu vs. RSV: How to tell the difference between - Labcorp But Omicron patients report fewer instances of fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell. 1 Signs of Omicron iStock Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. Loss of smell was also relatively rare among Omicron patients. Thankfully, both of these conditions are treatable. Typically, the loss of sense of smell associated with a sinus infection is going to be accompanied by more significant symptoms such as facial pain/pressure. LOSS OF SMELL is happening in about 50% of patients with Delta Variant COVID. Its always better to be safe than sorry. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Can you do anything to get your taste back after a sinus infection? Your symptoms are persisting or worsening after 10 days. 2 charts show how Omicron symptoms differ from Delta and past Doctors treat viral and bacterial sinus infectionsverydifferently. This fits with early data from the U.K. showing that fever and cough are not as prevalent with omicron cases there and that the five top symptoms are runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and sore throat. To help you figure it out, lets take a closer look at sinusitis. Get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated during cold and flu season. Sniffles (Nasal Congestion and Discharge). You might need antibiotics for a sinus infection that does not get better on its own with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. The yellowish tinge comes from white blood cells that rush to the site of the infection and then are swept away after working . COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and, in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. While it's easy to try and work through it, symptoms of respiratory illnesses like the common cold and sinus infection should never be taken lightly. By contrast, fatigue became more pronounced among outpatients, who often reported feeling tired and achy, Moreno said. Therefore, treatment is much the same, where you can use over-the-counter nasal decongestants, lozenges for a sore throat, and acetaminophen to treat fever, headaches, and body aches. People have reported symptoms that vary, but are similar to signs of a common cold or flu. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. Youre experiencing changes in vision or mental function. } else { Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. They might recommend prescription medications instead. Most people were sick 6-9 days. A sinus infection that lasts for months is chronic sinusitis, which can be caused by an infection or growths in the nasal cavity. What Should You Do If You Feel Sick but Keep Testing Negative for COVID? Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. With winter underway and cases of Omicron surging nationwide, you may be wondering if that runny nose or aching throat is a dreaded case of COVID-19 or merely a symptom of the common cold. Youll also want to wash your hair before bed after being outside and keep your windows closed when pollen counts are high. Omicron vs. Allergy Symptoms Though COVID-19 and allergies are caused by significantly different thingsthe SARS-CoV-2 virus and airborne substances like pollen, respectivelythe two can. Heres what you need to know about both kinds of infections and how to treat them. Possible signs and symptoms of a sinus infection include: The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 often involve the respiratory system, but they can also occur in other parts of the body. In adults and older children, RSV is typically a mild illness very similar to the common cold. "They're not short of breath, and really the lungs are OK," says Roberts, of Yale. If you have respiratory symptoms, its best to talk to your doctor. As we enter the second winter season of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can still be confusing trying to tell the difference between winter allergies and COVID symptoms. If you're sick, the following is recommended: Additionally, some medications can help, many of which are also used for sinus infections: Making sure your symptoms are more than a cold, and could be those of sinus infection, can be critical for managing the condition. If you've been exposed to someone with the virus or have COVID-19 symptoms and are waiting for a . A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days. Additionally, if you have any symptoms which are in any way associated with COVID-19, you should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding testing and quarantining and contact your healthcare provider. Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. Sometimes rinsing out your sinuses can help. Is your cold really a sinus infection? Chris Vincent, MD, is a licensed physician, surgeon, and board-certified doctor of family medicine. "Just like previous variants, omicron is hospitalizing people and it is killing people.". Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Find our most recent COVID-19 articles here, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, What its like to get an X-ray, and how to prepare, Cardiologist changing the way we care for womens cardiovascular health, Five signs of heart disease that show up in the bedroom. However patients with a history of relapsing sinus infections may have more difficult bacteria such as Staphylococcus or very tricky non typical respiratory bacteria. "Their symptoms are resolved. If you've been exposed to Omicron or think you have the virus, who explained symptoms to watch out for. This common infection requires antibiotics. At the same time, it appears anecdotally at least that certain symptoms show up more with omicron than they did with delta. Underlying allergy inflammation can lead to sinus infections. Omicron may also change the way the virus replicates or congregates in the body. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. But former hallmarks of COVID-19 such as fevers, coughs, and loss of taste or smell had dwindled. How do you know you are infected with Omicron? - Medical News Today At home this can be done by using a nasal saline solution or Neti pot. Dr. Jorge Moreno said he's seen an influx of COVID-19 cases lately at his outpatient clinic in Connecticut. Here's How to Look Decades Younger, 5 Drink clear fluids, such as water and broth. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. The highly contagious variant continues to spread across the U.S. and many hospitals remain overcrowded with COVID patients. "It's not like a little tickle in the throat. For example, if you have seasonal allergies to pollen, avoid going outdoors when the counts are at their highest. An X-ray can be the first line of defense for a health care provider to show whats happening inside your body. Sinus Infection vs. Cold: How to Tell the Difference - Verywell Health Many patients with this kind of persisting head pain may benefit from migraine medications or those used to block neural signals upstream of nerve endings. Some of the most common symptoms include a sinus headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and sneezing. Additionally, some people who have COVID do not have any symptoms. Back in June, when the Delta variant was dominant in the UK, loss of smell was the sixth most common COVID-19 symptom among fully vaccinated people. For example, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are more likely with COVID-19, while facial pain is more specific to a sinus infection. Whats the main difference between sinus infection and COVID-19? COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and may have gastrointestinal symptoms, too. I have started using montelukast orally post-covid to help block leukotriene cytokine response in the covid sinus patients. However really anyone is susceptible to sinusitis every once in a while. For COVID-19, the incubation period can range anywhere from two to 14 days. Both allergies and sinus infections can feel miserable. The boosted people, in many cases it's almost like an old cold: the sinus symptoms, the sore throat.". This article explains how to tell the difference between a a sinus infection and COVID-19. However, an allergy cough is wet, while a COVID-19 cough is dry; and fatigue with allergies tends to be milder than fatigue associated with COVID-19. For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. Visit the link below to find UNC Health Care providers. He added, "It's not as bad as it was." Sinus infection (sinusitis): types, causes, symptoms & treatment. Whereas antibiotics will not work for viral cases, they may be prescribed in bacterial cases. In its early days, the variant caused an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in South Africathey went from 300 a day in mid-November 2021 to 3,000 a day at the end of that month. About 80% of the patients at Yale New Haven Hospital are unvaccinated. People with Omicron may report symptoms like nausea more often because loss of smell is less prevalent with the new variant, said Andrew Pekosz, a professor of molecular microbiology and. It's also still not clear how much vaccines and prior infections are responsible for some of these early clinical impressions that omicron is causing a milder constellation of symptoms, says Dr. Daniel Griffin, who's chief of infectious diseases at ProHEALTH in New York and an instructor at Columbia University.