COVID is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This causes an inflammation of the tissues, preventing mucus from exiting the body, and making the sinuses a kind of breeding-ground for germs. Runny noses have been more common with COVID infections with the newer strains. These block the immune systems histamine-producing response whenever you encounter an allergen. UNC researchers are spreading the word about these disparities and starting a conversation about how to change them. Therefore, preventing a sinus infection often means trying to avoid the illnesses that usually precede it. Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. "Omicron versus delta are really more similar than they are different.". Sinus infections also cause thick, discolored mucus, and bad breath. With a scientific background and a passion for creative writing, her work illustrates the value of evidence-based information and creativity in advancing public health. The charts below show which Omicron symptoms are most common and how they compare to prior variants. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve the swelling of your sinuses. Policy. This lower risk with omicron is also consistent with what scientists have observed in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Despite their overlap, there are some notable differences between sinus infections and COVID-19 as well. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Fatigue. There's now data indicating just how severe its symptoms might be. Vaccines help reduce the severity of disease, but Omicron may be a less virulent virus on its own. Cases of sinus infection that last longer than 12 weeks are considered chronic. In most cases, when you have a runny nose, headache, and persistent cough, you have a common cold. Many people liken it to a bad cold or sinus infection. While the chances are much better that you wont need medical attention, you shouldnt hesitate seeking it out if or when you need it. While allergies tend to come up during childhood, its possible to develop allergies to new substances as an adult. As with sinus infections, symptom management as your body develops immunity and fights off the infection is central to care. Omicron seems to be milder, but does seem to cause infections in many people with the vaccine. "People that are unvaccinated go through a little bit of a longer and tougher course," Moreno said. Treat early sinus infection symptoms with rest, hydration and over-the-counter sprays and decongestants. The diagnosis cannot be made just by asking you about your symptoms or by doing an exam because the symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. Sinus infections most often occur after a cold or an allergy flare-up or in relation to a nasal condition. For example, an omicron infection may lead to complications of an existing condition such as diabetes or heart failure. Sinusitis has a tendency to linger and cause sinus pressure, facial pain, and yellow or green mucus. Like the science and discovery news you find here? } else { A bacterial sinus infection will last seven to 10 days or longer and may get worse after a week. 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. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. COVID-19 is also causing loss of smell in most-if-not-all patients for a short time (some patients have been slow to recover). Physician, Associate Professor Now amidst the Omicron-wave of infections hitting vaccinated and unvaccinated alike, it is clear in our practice we are seeing a lot of exacerbations of sinus infections. While you may experience a fever, headache, and cough if you have COVID, you can also have these and other respiratory symptoms if you have another infection or condition. Getting a flu shot will help protect you from the flu virus, which can cause inflammation in your sinuses and lead to a sinus infection. If this persists, smell training therapy can help, though sometimes (rarely) this loss is permanent. Learn more about how we use your information by reading our Privacy Policy. Your doctor will decide which is appropriate based on factors like your symptoms and whether you know you were exposed to someone with the virus. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. 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. Long-term (chronic) or severe allergies benefit more from daily treatments, such as Zyrtec or Claritin. "Their symptoms are resolved. By Mark Gurarie If you develop any respiratory symptoms and they do not seem to be getting better, its important to see your doctor. About 80% of the patients at Yale New Haven Hospital are unvaccinated. Also, the more stressed you are, the more likely you may experience more severe symptoms or a longer duration of illness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your doctor might take a watchful waiting approach to see if your immune system can fight the infection. Cold or COVID-19: Symptoms, Differences, and More - Verywell Health COVID-19 vs. Flu vs. RSV: How to tell the difference between - Labcorp The omicron variant now represents nearly every Covid case sequenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your source for health, wellness, innovation and discovery news from the experts at Ohio State. Many of the patients who are being hospitalized often have some underlying health condition, or they're older and more vulnerable to a viral infection. ", RELATED: Secret Weight Loss Tricks to Melt Visceral Fat, Science Says, 4 But it has taken longer to untangle what, if anything, sets an omicron illness apart from that of its predecessors. A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed. The only way to know what you have for sure is to see a healthcare provider. Omicron subvariant symptoms: How quickly do omicron symptoms appear? They can run tests to determine whether or not you have COVID, a sinus infection, or another condition. Her symptoms were similar like a terrible sinus infection and congestion. 960 Johnson Ferry Rd With information suggesting that symptoms are mild, hospitalizations are low despite some of the highest rates of infection to date, and reports that it isn't infecting the lungs as much as other strains it's no surprise that the general feeling with this variant is more relaxed than with others. If you have a mild case of COVID, you might be able to rest at home and avoid other people until you recover. Cleveland Clinic. If you have pet dander allergies, make sure your furry loved ones dont sleep in bed with you and wash your hands after petting them and before touching your face. You risk possible side effects and increase your chances of developing antibiotic resistance, which can make future infections harder to treat, says Dr. Sindwani. She also ended up with a painful double ear infection. A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days. The two share certain symptoms, but also have differences. Lately, he said, people who received a booster shot reported shorter bouts of illness than those who received fewer doses or none at all. Omicron seems to cause LESS loss of smell due to reduced affinity for the nerve endings! A sinus infection, on the other hand, occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. Many locations offer drive-thru COVID-19 tests, or you can buy a rapid test from your local pharmacy, which gives you results in about 15 minutes. A sinus infection often follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. It is often patients who are susceptible to sinus infections that get them such as those patients who have gotten them before or patients who had ear infections as a child. This type of reaction is caused by a negative response to a substance. However, there are several key differences: Primarily, sinus infection arises when the sinusesthe passages connecting the mouth, ears, and eyesare exposed to a virus, bacteria or fungi. The only way to know for sure is to see your doctor. Common colds. Most sinus infections are caused by viral infections, such as those that cause the common cold, including the rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The overlap in symptoms between COVID-19 and sinus infections (sinusitis) make it difficult to tell the two apart. And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. 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. 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. Thankfully, both of these conditions are treatable. Typically, youll have facial pain/pressure, headaches, nasal drainage and congestion, decreased or loss of sense of smell, tooth pain and sore throat. Is It a Sinus Infection or COVID-19? How to Tell - Healthline Symptoms like bad breath, yellow or green mucus, fever and headache are not reliable signs of a bacterial infection, he says. And follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you liveget vaccinated or boosted ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don't travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to ensure your health don't miss these 101 Health Habits You Didn't Know Were Deadly. Home remedies can often treat sinus drainage. With infections at all-time highs in the U.S., the clinical picture is now coming together and starting to confirm what other countries have found a typical case of omicron not only presents slightly differently but also likely carries a lower chance of getting seriously ill. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have preliminary evidence that the risk of being admitted to the hospital or the intensive care unit during the omicron surge in the U.S. is about half of the risk observed during the delta surge. A sinus infection, or sinusitis, occurs when your nasal passages get infected. Allergies can develop at any point in your life. 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. You should also see your doctor if your OTC antihistamines arent working. At a December news briefing, Ryan Noach, the CEO of Discovery Health, South Africa's largest private health insurer, said Omicron patients commonly reported a scratchy throat first, followed by nasal congestion, dry cough, and body aches. This was the case even before omicron: People who had breakthrough infections tended to have fewer symptoms and milder ones than those who were unvaccinated. Doctors studying Omicron's spread around the world have found new clues to the pattern of symptoms caused by the highly-mutated COVID-19 variant, which a growing number of reports suggest might . You have a fever (over 100.4 degrees) that persists beyond a few days. Sometimes rinsing out your sinuses can help. Viral vs. Bacterial Sinus Infections - Cleveland Clinic Subscribe. Symptoms of COVID-19. If youre not vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu, do so right away to reduce your chances of getting sick and spreading these infections to others. Cardiology, Health Disparities, Heart and Vascular Health, Heart Attacks, Research, Women's Health. I do encourage you to get the vaccine and the booster. Treating your allergy symptoms early on can also help prevent your allergies from getting out of control. xhr.send(payload); But it's very possible that doctors and patients are simply paying more attention to these symptoms than they did with earlier variants, says Dr. Scott Roberts, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the Yale School of Medicine. In other words, what you think of as the common cold. Still, these two conditions have different causes and symptoms. Its also possible to feel foggy and develop a skin rash. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. When it was discovered, omicron alarmed scientists. Sinusitis is most often caused by viruses. Note:Antibiotics wont help a viral infection, and taking anantibiotic unnecessarilycan do more harm than good. With some of these key differences in mind, you may be able to figure out whether youre dealing with allergies or sinusitis and take the necessary steps to start feeling better. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. sore throat. 1 Signs of Omicron iStock Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. 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. For the common cold, the incubation period is relatively short, usually one to three days. You cant, unfortunatelybecause the symptoms are so similar, you should be tested for COVID-19. Xu and her team estimate that, in their study, about 60% of the people were vaccinated. Mucus Color: What Does it Mean? - Cleveland Clinic In contrast, delta took about four days, and the original variant took more than five. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e, RELATED: How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast. And the smell loss has been worse than the summer Delta surge. A key difference between the common cold and COVID-19 is the incubation period (time of exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms). COVID-19 symptoms and the Omicron variant: What the latest studies show } Learn about the symptoms of a sinus infection and how to, If your nasal discharge is any color other than clear, it could be a sign of an infection. The variant looked wildly different from earlier versions of the coronavirus and it quickly became clear that these mutations gave omicron an uncanny ability to sidestep our vaccines and spread very rapidly. A sinus infection is diagnosed based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. Get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated during cold and flu season. Whereas antibiotics will not work for viral cases, they may be prescribed in bacterial cases. But as with any variant of SARS-CoV-2, your absolute risk depends on many factors, including whether you're vaccinated and boosted, your age, your overall health and your economic situation. But never had any serious fever beyond 100 and O2 levels were rock solid. For people who are at high risk for severe disease, such as older people or those with underlying health issues, the chance of being hospitalized is still quite significant. Sinus infection is a condition in which the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed. Research published in April 2022 in The Lancet also found that . However, these conditions arent the same thing. You dont ever treat with antibiotics unless its been more than 10 to 14 days because, in that situation, you may have a bacterial infection, Dr. Ruff says. Distinguishing between the common cold and sinus infections can be challenging for patients and healthcare providers alike. In most cases, they resolve without the need for medical care. ", Read the original article on Business Insider, Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram/Getty Images, Jessica Christian/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images, Patrick Pleul/Picture Alliance/Getty Images. Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. diarrhea. The symptoms of a sinus infection include coughing, congestion fever and headacheall of which are symptoms of COVID-19, too. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. ; Duration: Whereas cold symptoms generally start to improve after . Omicron, the latest variant, is spreading like wildfire across the globe, leading Dr. Anthony Fauci, . How to know if those are Omicron COVID symptoms, or just a common cold Additionally, people with allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the nasal and facial cavities are at greater risk of developing a sinus infection. Some photos and videos on this site were filmed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak or may not reflect current physical distancing and/or masking guidelines. You will be notified of your result, which will be either positive (you have COVID) or negative (you do not have COVID). Proper diagnosis is essential, and the doctor will need to know whether you have viral or bacterial sinusitis. The most common risk factors for sinus infections include: While many sinus infections are complications of a common cold due to a virus, sometimes bacteria and fungi can cause a superimposed infection that is more difficult for the bodys immune system to fight off. "Just like previous variants, omicron is hospitalizing people and it is killing people.". This article covers the key similarities and differences between the common cold and sinus infection, as well as what care looks like for these respiratory diseases. Typically we allow 7 to 10 days for an acute sinus infection to resolve on its own, but after this point antibiotics or anti-inflammatories or other specialized medications may be needed. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Do You Have a Sinus Infection or COVID-19? - GoodRx Omicron Infection Timeline: Exposure to Immunity - Health An Ohio State dermatologist weighs in. For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. Suffering from a sinus infection? In adults and older children, RSV is typically a mild illness very similar to the common cold. COVID-19 lasts for about a week or two depending on its severity and your overall health. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Bishop S. (2013). The loss of smell most commonly is resolved by 3 months, but about 20% of patients will have smell loss longer, and about 5% may have permanent loss of smell. But dont look for an antibiotic unless your illness extends beyond a week, he says. I have started using montelukast orally post-covid to help block leukotriene cytokine response in the covid sinus patients. 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. This may be present with runny nose as well, usually on both sides. And doctors are finding a key difference among their patients who are ending up in the ER or being admitted: Many are neither struggling to breathe nor dealing with perilously low oxygen levels. Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day. If youre having symptoms, heres when you should call a doctor: Distinguishing between the common cold and sinus infections can be challenging for patients and healthcare providers. So maybe it was just something non covid related Anyway she was exhausted and couldn't work. Youll need to take the full prescription, even if you start feeling better within a day or two. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. And fewer patients have symptoms related to lower respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, says Vanchiere, including older patients. Bacteria can also cause sinusitis; these cases tend to arise when theres an existing cold, as the immune system is weakened.