Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Additionally, allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the sinuses may increase the risk of developing sinusitis. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Xu and her team estimate that, in their study, about 60% of the people were vaccinated. When it was discovered, omicron alarmed scientists. COVID-19 is a viral infection, which means that many of the same steps that you would take to protect yourself from a cold or the flu (such as washing your hands and avoiding people who are sick) can help lower your risk of getting the virus. Loss of your sense of taste and smell sometimes accompanies a sinus infection. If youre not feeling well, talk to your doctor or find one near you. Learn some practical steps you can take to ease your symptoms. 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. You dont necessarily have to see your doctor for your allergies. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NYU Medical Center. What Every Woman Needs to Know, 6 Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { 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. Aside from what causes them, this includes another battery of more unique symptoms. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. But Roberts says it's still quite rare for people who are vaccinated and boosted to get seriously ill from omicron. A viral sinus infection will usually begin to improve after five to seven days. If you have respiratory symptoms, its best to talk to your doctor. An accurate diagnosis from a healthcare professional is required to ensure that you get the appropriate treatment. However, if your symptoms worsen or last longer than two weeks, you should see your doctor for some relief. Research published in April 2022 in The Lancet also found that . 1 There are several ways to treat a sinus infection. And is your infection caused by a virus or bacteria and does it really matter? 2. If you have respiratory symptoms, you might fear that you have COVID. Sinus infections can also cause loss of sense of taste or smell, higher fever, fatigue, and aches in the body. A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed. Also, the more stressed you are, the more likely you may experience more severe symptoms or a longer duration of illness. Treat early sinus infection symptoms with rest, hydration and over-the-counter sprays and decongestants. Youll also want to wash your hair before bed after being outside and keep your windows closed when pollen counts are high. A sinus infection is diagnosed based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. } ); 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). Two main symptoms of sinus infections include congestion and pain or pressure in your face, nose, or ears. Mild, coldlike symptoms such as sore throats, sneezing, and runny noses were increasingly common. Since sinus infections are caused by viruses, antibiotics dont generally help. At home this can be done by using a nasal saline solution or Neti pot. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. By Mark Gurarie A sinus infection is caused by inflammation of the sinuses and often follows a cold or allergy flare-up. every day. Sure Signs You're Getting Omicron Now, Say Doctors. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled. To help alleviate your symptoms, stock up on nonprescription pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants and cough drops. 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. Pain at the top of the head is often found with occult sphenoid sinusitis, which can cause a serious infection of the eyes and even meningitis. This may show up almost like non specific concussion symptoms with fatigue, mental fatigue, eye fatigue, non specific dizziness, feeling dizzy in wide open places, or feeling dizzy in busy indoor areas. "The difference was huge," says data scientist Rong Xu, who led the study and is also at Case Western Reserve University. We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097. Even your doctor cant tell if your infection is viral or bacterial based solely on symptoms or an exam.. Sinusitis happens when your sinuses thenormally air-filledpockets in your face become inflamedand blocked. Editors note: As what we know about COVID-19 evolves, so could the information in this story. Despite their overlap, there are some notable differences between sinus infections and COVID-19 as well. And the smell loss has been worse than the summer Delta surge. The best ways to clear up viral infections are with the following methods: Viral infections cant be treated with antibiotics. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. Is your cold really a sinus infection? Some symptoms are more common in one condition than the other. 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. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has surged in the U.K. and is now dominant in the U.S. as well. Some patients (about 10%) will have scalp tenderness, pain, and even sometimes PAINFUL HAIR! The rise of the Omicron variant has only made the situation more complex. Bacterial and fungal sinus infections often arise this way. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. Lately, he said, people who received a booster shot reported shorter bouts of illness than those who received fewer doses or none at all. Normally they're filled with air. Sinusitis. Still, doctors have noticed a clear gradient of symptoms based on a person's vaccination status. Treatment depends on the cause but can include medications to decrease inflammation and treat the infection. Proper diagnosis is essential, and the doctor will need to know whether you have viral or bacterial sinusitis. Policy. 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. You risk possible side effects and increase your chances of developing antibiotic resistance, which can make future infections harder to treat, says Dr. Sindwani. 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. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. Your source for health, wellness, innovation, research and science news from the experts at Ohio State. Get health and wellness tips and information from UNC Health experts once a month! Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID. Learn more about the. Typically, a sinus infection clears up within 2 to 3 weeks. How long are you most contagious after a COVID-19 infection? Get articles and stories about health, wellness, medicine, science and education delivered right to your inbox from the experts at Ohio State. By Emily Brown, MPH Talk to your teens about their mental health. According to the CDC, the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta variant. Did not lose taste or smell either. The treatments for a sinus infection and COVID are very different. Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. ", How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast, If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-53563316-1&cid=053662ec-447c-49e3-a3fc-38c4554832b7&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=8507895853480345925'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); About 80% of the patients at Yale New Haven Hospital are unvaccinated. ", 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. For example, the virus that causes the common cold attacks the lining of your sinuses and causes them to swell up. Colds are usually transmitted via coughed or exhaled droplets or infected surfaces. Stay home, rest and drink lots of fluids. And just like earlier variants, omicron can't be defined as causing only a narrow group of symptoms. As a result, you should experience fewer symptoms. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a type of coronavirus. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Explore the differences between allergies and sinus infections so that you can determine the likely cause of your symptoms and seek the appropriate treatment for relief. In infants and the elderly, the symptoms can be more severe. Therefore, preventing a sinus infection often means trying to avoid the illnesses that usually precede it. A study published online on Jan. 2 provides some of the first compelling evidence from the U.S. that the chance of ending up in the hospital is lower with omicron compared with the delta variant. Learn more about how we use your information by reading our Privacy Policy. For example, if you have seasonal allergies to pollen, avoid going outdoors when the counts are at their highest. But dont look for an antibiotic unless your illness extends beyond a week, he says. Note:Antibiotics wont help a viral infection, and taking anantibiotic unnecessarilycan do more harm than good. Along with falling temperatures and shorter days, sinus infections are a common part of winter. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: The Procedure and Recovery Process. A sinus infection, sinusitis, occurs when your sinuses become inflamedand blocked. Omicron seems to cause LESS loss of smell due to reduced affinity for the nerve endings! A runny nose and sneezing, congestion, and sore throat are a few symptoms that can pop up if you have . 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. 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 . However, it may be helpful to avoid the substances you know youre allergic to as often as you can. Whats the best way to remove skin tags, and why do they form in the first place? What Is a Sinus Infection? Allergies can be chronic or seasonal, but avoidance and medication can help alleviate your symptoms. Whats the Difference Between Walking Pneumonia and Regular Pneumonia? So how can you tell the difference? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They need rest. Viruses lead to most sinus infections, but bacteria can. 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. Read On, A Medication to Reduce Your Chances of Getting HIV, COVID-19 Shots During Pregnancy Help Mom and Baby, 3 Things Parents Should Know About Bivalent Boosters for Young Children. Heather currently freelances for several publications. Sinusitis generally lasts longer than a cold; while cases can resolve within 10 days, symptoms can last up to a month. The severe sore throat is often still. With allergic rhinitis, you can have the above symptoms as well as itchy eyes. 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. Sinus infections and COVID are not caused by the same things. If you have a disability and experience difficulty accessing this content, contact our webmaster at. Get the best food tips and diet Many patients started out with a dry, scratchy throat that caused sharp pain when they swallowed. Another factor in appropriate treatment is a person's risk factors for severe disease. For example, an omicron infection may lead to complications of an existing condition such as diabetes or heart failure. An Ohio State dermatologist weighs in. Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. You will be notified of your result, which will be either positive (you have COVID) or negative (you do not have COVID). Another difference doctors are noticing: Loss of smell and taste considered a telltale sign of COVID-19 is not nearly as common with omicron infections. A sinus infection occurs when the fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses) and encourages the growth of germs. Those symptoms include a runny nose or sniffles, a headache or body aches,. Suffering from a sinus infection? Allergy and sinus infection treatments share some similarities and differences. Underlying allergy inflammation can lead to sinus infections. I have seen more patients with lingering sinusitis after Omicron COVID than prior variants. COVID-19 is only caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. Severe allergies can lead to a cold-like condition called allergic rhinitis. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. Body aches and fatigue seem to linger longer. If you have a mild case of COVID, you might be able to rest at home and avoid other people until you recover. Cardiology, Health Disparities, Heart and Vascular Health, Heart Attacks, Research, Women's Health. And most of all, does this variant cause less severe disease than the variants that have come before it? 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. The Zoe study uses a smartphone app to log how hundreds of thousands of people are feeling every day across the UK. "It's not like a little tickle in the throat. Also, ask your doctor about supplements such as vitamin C to help boost your immune system. 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. Sinus infection (sinusitis): types, causes, symptoms & treatment. People have reported symptoms that vary, but are similar to signs of a common cold or flu. A sinus infection, or sinusitis, occurs when the air-filled pockets in the face, called sinuses, fill up with fluid, inflaming the sinus lining and preventing them from draining. Symptoms like bad breath, yellow or green mucus, fever and headache are not reliable signs of a bacterial infection, he says. ", RELATED: The #1 Cause of Diabetes, Say Experts, Walker explains, "When news suggested that the Omicron variant was less severe than the Delta variant, people became increasingly lax about getting COVID. South Africa's largest health insurer listed nasal congestion, sore or scratchy throat, dry cough and lower back pain as common Omicron symptoms. The main difference between COVID and a sinus infection is what causes them. What Should You Do If You Feel Sick but Keep Testing Negative for COVID? They can talk to you about your symptoms, screen you for COVID risk factors, perform diagnostic tests to determine what is making you sick, and make sure that you get the appropriate treatment. RSV is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious virus that can infect children and adults. diarrhea. 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. While mild fever may accompany early onset of the cold and is common in children or infants with it, its not a typical feature of this illness in adults. "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. 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. otolaryngology-assoc.com/our_services/allergies__sinusitis.aspx, newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pay-close-attention-to-symptoms-to-determine-if-cause-is-sinus-infection-or-allergies/, health.clevelandclinic.org/cold-really-sinus-infection-tell/, acaai.org/allergies/types/sinus-infection, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17701-sinusitis, Sinus Infection (Sinusitis): What It Is, Symptoms, and More, Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP. Many people liken it to a bad cold or sinus infection. Still, these two conditions have different causes and symptoms. 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. Aside from OTC medications, you will want to get plenty of rest and fluids, eat nutrient-rich foods, and keep yourself away from other people until your symptoms have subsided. Three that have gained attention are nausea, night sweats and lower back pain. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Like the science and discovery news you find here? 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. However, sinus infections have rarely been associated with COVID. The only way to know for sure is to see your doctor. "Therefore, people who are chronically ill, immunocompromised, or older adults are at greater risk of getting infected. Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al. Sore throat Hoarse voice Cough Fatigue Nasal congestion Runny nose Headache Muscle aches Unlike earlier variants like delta that affected the lungs, omicron and its subvariants tend to cause more. Sinus infection (sinusitis). As at earlier stages in the pandemic, many patients are still having some combination of fever, gastrointestinal problems, aches and pains, brain fog, weakness and, less often, trouble breathing, says Mount Sinai's Carr. Most people were sick 6-9 days. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. Sinus infection is a condition in which the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed. Its also possible to have both conditions at the same time. This is why you may feel pain or pressure in your face.