In other words, what you think of as the common cold. Are you contagious before COVID-19 symptoms appear? A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed. However, it may be helpful to avoid the substances you know youre allergic to as often as you can. Colds are more common than sinus infections and symptoms tend to improve quicker. Infections like RSV and the flu. Worried That Sore Throat Is Strep? The omicron variant of the coronavirus has surged in the U.K. and is now dominant in the U.S. as well. Sinus infection (sinusitis). But dont look for an antibiotic unless your illness extends beyond a week, he says. If youre suffering from chronic sinusitis(nasal congestion, drainage, facial pain/pressure, and a decreased sense of smell lasting 12 weeks or longer)or you are getting frequent sinus infectionsyou should see your doctor, says Dr. Sindwani. 8. Find our most recent COVID-19 articles here and learn the latest in COVID-19 prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Get the best food tips and diet if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Get the best food tips and diet advice 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 . Learn more about how we use your information by reading our Privacy Policy. 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. However, there are a few key differences. A sinus infection, on the other hand, occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. If you have respiratory symptoms, you might fear that you have COVID. Youll need to take the full prescription, even if you start feeling better within a day or two. The only way to know what you have for sure is to see a healthcare provider. At the same time, it appears anecdotally at least that certain symptoms show up more with omicron than they did with delta. It usually spreads between people who are in close contact. You cannot tell if you have COVID or a sinus infection just based on your symptoms alone, especially because so many overlap. Its always better to be safe than sorry. Suite 200, Atlanta 30342, Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline Progression. 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. Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Dust mite allergies can be alleviated with weekly house cleanings and bedding washes. It does, says otolaryngologist Raj Sindwani, MD. While its possible that you have the virus, your symptoms could also be caused by another condition, such as a cold or a sinus infection. Feminine Odor Problems? This causes an inflammation of the tissues, preventing mucus from exiting the body, and making the sinuses a kind of breeding-ground for germs. Omicron seems to cause LESS loss of smell due to reduced affinity for the nerve endings! congestion or runny nose. 1 Signs of Omicron iStock Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve the swelling of your sinuses. 1. An X-ray can be the first line of defense for a health care provider to show whats happening inside your body. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. To help alleviate your symptoms, stock up on nonprescription pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants and cough drops. Some patients (about 10%) will have scalp tenderness, pain, and even sometimes PAINFUL HAIR! Mild, coldlike symptoms such as sore throats, sneezing, and runny noses were increasingly common. To help you figure it out, lets take a closer look at sinusitis. 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. Another preprint study, released earlier this month, showed that the viral load from an Omicron infection peaked in saliva one to two days before it peaked in nasal swabs a sign that Omicron may infect the throat before it infects the nose. OMICRON variant has seen reduced problems with smell loss! Most people dont require special treatment for the common cold, and theres no vaccine or outright cure. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Thankfully, both of these conditions are treatable. A viral sinus infection will usually begin to improve after five to seven days. How to Tell If Its Allergy or Infection. This can mean a cold or infection that's progressing. Two recent lab studies, which haven't been peer-reviewed, suggested that Omicron could be less effective at attacking lung cells compared with prior variants. The overlap in symptoms between COVID-19 and sinus infections (sinusitis) make it difficult to tell the two apart. A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. Sinusitis generally lasts longer than a cold; while cases can resolve within 10 days, symptoms can last up to a month. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e, RELATED: How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast. 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. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University analyzed health records from more than a half-million people infected with SARS-CoV-2 across the country, including 14,000 people possibly infected with omicron from Dec. 15 to 24, after the variant became dominant. After youve tested, call your primary care doctor to schedule an in-person or virtual visit. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? A sinus infection occurs when viruses or bacteria cause inflammation and fluid buildup inside your sinuses. Another not-yet-peer-reviewed study, published on Wednesday, found that Omicron inherently reduced the risk of severe hospitalization or death from COVID-19 by 25% compared with Delta. 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. When they become blocked and filled with fluid, bacteria can grow there and cause. Several studies have found that the incubation period the time it takes to develop symptoms after being exposed is about three days. A sinus infection, or sinusitis, occurs when your nasal passages get infected. Allergies are also treated with antihistamines. Do You Have Just a Sore Throat or Is It Strep? Sore throats and runny noses are increasingly common in vaccinated people with Omicron. COVID-19 and sinus infections both involve the respiratory system. One of the key differences is the itchiness of your eyes and skin that can occur with allergies, as well as the thick, yellow or green . 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. You dont necessarily have to see your doctor for your allergies. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat. advice every day. Is There a Link Between a Low White Blood Cell Count and COVID-19? Specifically, the risk of being admitted to the ICU fell from 0.8% to 0.4% (or by 50%) and the chance of being put on a ventilator fell from 0.4% to 0.1%. Sinusitis occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. 2. If your allergies have you particularly congested, they might also prescribe a decongestant. "The most reported symptoms of Omicron are really very much like a cold, especially in people who've been vaccinated," Dr. Claire Steves, a scientist involved with the Zoe COVID Symptom Study, said in a recent video. Read our. All Rights Reserved. If you develop any respiratory symptoms and they do not seem to be getting better, its important to see your doctor. Ohio State Health & Discovery brings this expertise together to deliver todays most important health news and the deeper story behind the most powerful topics that affect the health of people, animals, society and the world. "It's not like a little tickle in the throat. Frequent handwashing is also a must. Your doctor might take a watchful waiting approach to see if your immune system can fight the infection. "Therefore, people who are chronically ill, immunocompromised, or older adults are at greater risk of getting infected. Sinus infections can also cause loss of sense of taste or smell, higher fever, fatigue, and aches in the body. Sinusitis is most often caused by viruses. When the nasal cavity gets inflamed, mucus builds up and gets stuck, further compounding the problem. Additionally, people with allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the nasal and facial cavities are at greater risk of developing a sinus infection. While the data doesn't distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated people, 70% of the UK population has had at least two vaccine doses as of Thursday. There's now data indicating just how severe its symptoms might be. Note:Antibiotics wont help a viral infection, and taking anantibiotic unnecessarilycan do more harm than good. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. And theyre better than nothing, especially on a weekend if you dont have other choices, Dr. Ruff says. Patients with chronic sinusitis have complaints of nasal blockage, facial pressure, eye pressure, runny nose, postnasal drip and headache. Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Omicron has displaced the once-dominant delta variant in a matter of. There was a strong tendency toward SEVERE SORE THROAT and even GI upset moreso. If you have COVID-19, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. These cases may require additional treatment or surgery. A study from the U.K. government, published last week, found that three doses of vaccine cuts the risk of hospitalization due to omicron by about 80% compared with a person who's not vaccinated at all. "Those individuals that are boosted, within five days, seven days of their onset of symptoms, their energy level comes back," he said. 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. Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day. 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 Zoe study uses a smartphone app to log how hundreds of thousands of people are feeling every day across the UK. The omicron variant now represents nearly every Covid case sequenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For example, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are more likely with COVID-19, while facial pain is more specific to a sinus infection. If you have a negative COVID test, we can see you and determine if you have an actual sinus infection and then determine the best treatment, Dr. Ruff says. The Anosmia/smell dysfunction returned and Im maybe even seeing this smell loss LAST LONGER than the original COVID variants. One of the key differences is the itchiness of your eyes and skin that can occur with allergies, as well as the thick, yellow or green nasal discharge thats notable with sinusitis. Scientists aren't sure why COVID-19 symptoms are changing. Most of those patients were vaccinated, he said, so their symptoms tended to be milder and relatively short-lived. When in doubt, see your doctor. Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Use a saline mist spray to hydrate nasal passages. A commuter masks up for a bus ride in Liverpool, England. Scientists are trying to figure out why. 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. COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and may have gastrointestinal symptoms, too. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Sinusitis. A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. There are several ways to treat a sinus infection. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The symptoms of a sinus infection include coughing, congestion fever and headacheall of which are symptoms of COVID-19, too. 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. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. 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. Learn some practical steps you can take to ease your symptoms. For example, if you're over age 65, your risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19 is still 5% with the omicron variant, which means 1 in 20 people infected in this age group will end up in the hospital. Additionally, allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the sinuses may increase the risk of developing sinusitis. Symptoms of COVID-19. Whats the best way to remove skin tags, and why do they form in the first place? 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, , 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, a, nd to ensure your health don't miss these, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. These include: The best way to treat COVID-19 depends on how sick a person is. For example, the virus that causes the common cold attacks the lining of your sinuses and causes them to swell up. The omicron subvariant of COVID-19, BA.5, became one of the dominant strains of the virus in the fall of 2022 in the U.S. At that time, it was the most easily spread strain to date and is able to evade immunity from COVID infection and vaccination. Whether your sinus infection turns out to be viral or bacterial, you can help to ease your symptoms early on with supportive sinus care: If your symptoms arent improving after one week, its important to see your doctor. Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "You don't get off scot-free just because you happen to be infected in the time of omicron. Whether your sinus infection turns out to be viral or bacterial, you can help to ease your symptoms early on with supportive sinus care: Use saline spray two to three times per day in each nostril . sore throat. Some common sinus infection treatments include: According to the CDC, antibiotics are usually not needed for viral sinus infections. Congestion, headache, fever, sore throat, and cough are some examples of symptoms that the two share. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The common cold is a minor viral infection of the upper respiratory system thats caused by a wide range of viruses. Discover risk factors such as sinus infections. Children's Wisconsin. We've rounded up the seven best decongestants to help relieve your pressure, pain, and congestion. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Another factor in appropriate treatment is a person's risk factors for severe disease. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. 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. So maybe it was just something non covid related Anyway she was exhausted and couldn't work. What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result, What to Know About Pneumonia and COVID-19. But the omicron variant tends to share many of the same symptoms as the common cold. You can expect to experience many colds throughout your life. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page. 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. Still, these two conditions have different causes and symptoms. Along with nasal congestion and headache, sinusitis causes pain around your cheeks and eyes. Or is it? Allergies occur as a result of your immune systems reaction to certain allergens, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. Some steps that you can take will help reduce your risk of either condition, but each also has specific precautions that will help lower your risk. Body aches and fatigue seem to linger longer. Subscribe. And is your infection caused by a virus or bacteria and does it really matter? It also details treatment options for both, why a proper diagnosis is important, and when to see your healthcare provider. Simply because the Omicron variant is new, there's little research about its link to long COVID, the physical, neurological, and cognitive symptoms that can persist indefinitely after infection. < View From My Seat Msg Section 212, Articles S