RSV is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious virus that can infect children and adults. As with sinus infections, symptom management as your body develops immunity and fights off the infection is central to care. 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. "But people who are fresh, with no preexisting immunity, it's hard to see that the virus is milder. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. 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. 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. A doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery if you're experiencing recurrent sinus infections or have a sinus blockage. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { To help alleviate your symptoms, stock up on nonprescription pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants and cough drops. Symptoms like bad breath, yellow or green mucus, fever and headache are not reliable signs of a bacterial infection, he says. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: The Procedure and Recovery Process. This leads to mucus buildup. 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. But the omicron variant tends to share many of the same symptoms as the common cold. Viruses lead to most sinus infections, but bacteria can. Occurring in an estimated 11.6% of American adults, these infections of the nasal passages tend to be more severe. Read our. I do encourage you to get the vaccine and the booster. Omicron seems to cause LESS loss of smell due to reduced affinity for the nerve endings! Were hopeful that most people with COVID-19 regain their smell back, but unfortunately many do not. How Stress Increases the Risk of Getting COVID, "Stress compromises the immune system, throwing off its ability to fight illness," Walker states. There's now data indicating just how severe its symptoms might be. Learn about treatments to help release the pressure and clear up a toothache. Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis, Sinus infection (sinusitis): types, causes, symptoms & treatment, Infection by another virus, bacteria, or fungus, Allergy medications like the antihistamines, Getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated, Antibiotics (for bacterial sinus infection), such as Moxatag (amoxicillin) or Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium). Differences. There are also other precautions that you should take not just to protect yourself from COVID but to help ensure that you do not spread the virus to other people. Here's How to Look Decades Younger, 5 Dust mite allergies can be alleviated with weekly house cleanings and bedding washes. Vaccinated people, he continued, "don't have those respiratory symptoms as much.". The rapid ones are getting better and better as far as accuracy goes. Health spoke with Julia Walker, a registered nurse with Paloma Health who explained symptoms to watch out for. But experts say symptoms are more like colds and medics have urged the . By Emily Brown, MPH (2016). However, it may be helpful to avoid the substances you know youre allergic to as often as you can. This causes an inflammation of the tissues, preventing mucus from exiting the body, and making the sinuses a kind of breeding-ground for germs. This common infection requires antibiotics. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. How can you tell whether your infection is viral or bacterial based on your symptoms? But Roberts says it's still quite rare for people who are vaccinated and boosted to get seriously ill from omicron. 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. 2023 UNC Health. In general, people are contagious for two to three days before COVID-19 symptoms start. If you have severe congestion with either, then an over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription decongestant can help by breaking up mucus in your nasal cavities. 8. Vaccination reduces your risk of COVID death 90% or more. 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. COVID-19 quarantine and isolation. Frequent handwashing is also a must. An Ohio State expert explains what to expect. And a small study from Norway found that, among . Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. Its thought that the initial site of COVID-19 entry for most patients is the nasal passages. Talk through your symptoms, and then your provider can help you determine the best next steps, Dr. Ruff says. 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. "Many people are still going to be admitted to the ICU, and some people are still going to need to have mechanical ventilation.". COVID-19 often causes sinus and upper respiratory symptoms such as loss of smell, congestion, and a severe headache. The nasal sinuses and the middle ear space or hollow pockets in the head and cranial bones that usually are filled with sterile air. A sinus infection occurs when the fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses) and encourages the growth of germs. The main difference between COVID and a sinus infection is what causes them. You might need antibiotics for a sinus infection that does not get better on its own with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. In adults and older children, RSV is typically a mild illness very similar to the common cold. If you have COVID-19, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. The best way to protect yourself from COVID is to get vaccinated and practice protective measures like wearing a face mask, social distancing, and washing your hands. "Omicron versus delta are really more similar than they are different.". There's now data indicating just how severe its symptoms might be. This is why you may feel pain or pressure in your face. During the pandemic, the general public has become more aware of COVID-19 symptoms. Compare the following symptoms to see if you have allergies or a possible sinus infection. Policy. That's why, she says, everyone should be vaccinated and boosted. ", 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. 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ", Omicron is spreading at lightning speed. 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. What to Know About Fibromyalgia and COVID-19, Antigen vs. Antibody: Differences and COVID-19 Testing. 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). The primary symptoms of sinus infections include: In a majority of cases, sinus infections resolve as your bodys immune system attacks and destroys the infecting pathogens. While in the past this has usually turned out to be a sinus infection, youre not so sure this time. If a bacterial infection is suspected, youll probably need to take an antibiotic to clear up the infection and prevent further complications. 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. Note:Antibiotics wont help a viral infection, and taking anantibiotic unnecessarilycan do more harm than good. 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. Runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat were the top five symptoms among people in the UK who recorded a positive COVID-19 test in the past few weeks. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. 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. The exception is if youve never been diagnosed with allergies before or if your allergies seem to be getting worse. By clicking "Subscribe" you agree to our Terms of Use. The Zoe study uses a smartphone app to log how hundreds of thousands of people are feeling every day across the UK. People with severe COVID illness usually need to be in the hospital, and some end up needing to be in the intensive care unit (ICU). 1 Signs of Omicron iStock Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. 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. 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. 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. 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sinusitis generally lasts longer than a cold; while cases can resolve within 10 days, symptoms can last up to a month. Its also important for doctors to ascertain whether youre experiencing a viral or bacterial infection as that can influence treatment. And fewer patients have symptoms related to lower respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, says Vanchiere, including older patients. Get the best food tips and diet advice However, there are a few key differences. You can protect yourself from COVID-19 by washing your hands . Body aches and fatigue seem to linger longer. Also ask your doctor about recommendations for other medications you can take as preventive measures. Sinus infections also cause thick, discolored mucus, and bad breath. 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. 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. Use saline spray two to three times per day in each nostril. Most of these patients retained their sense of smell and had disease course taht was brief 3 days or so. A December study from the University of Hong Kong, which hasn't been peer-reviewed, found that Omicron replicated 70 times faster in the main airways, or bronchi, compared with Delta, but 10 times slower in the lung tissue. Aside from what causes them, this includes another battery of more unique symptoms. 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. LOSS OF SMELL is happening in about 50% of patients with Delta Variant COVID. The omicron variant now represents nearly every Covid case sequenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Colds are more common than sinus infections and symptoms tend to improve quicker. This lower risk with omicron is also consistent with what scientists have observed in South Africa and the United Kingdom. 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. every day. According to the CDC, the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta variant. 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. Typically, youll have facial pain/pressure, headaches, nasal drainage and congestion, decreased or loss of sense of smell, tooth pain and sore throat. If you have a sinus infection that is not going away, talk to your doctor about medications and other treatments that can bring you relief. 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 Managing a sinus infection? 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e, RELATED: How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast. Although you can get sinusitis year around, it tends . The cause of a sinus infection is inflammation of the sinuses. Bacterial and fungal sinus infections often arise this way. At the same time, it appears anecdotally at least that certain symptoms show up more with omicron than they did with delta. If you've been exposed to Omicron or think you have the virus, who explained symptoms to watch out for. "The difference was huge," says data scientist Rong Xu, who led the study and is also at Case Western Reserve University. 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. A commuter masks up for a bus ride in Liverpool, England. The two conditions can have symptoms that overlap, but some symptoms are more likely to occur in one and not the other. 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. COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. A sinus infection that lasts for months is chronic sinusitis, which can be caused by an infection or growths in the nasal cavity. Some viral sinus infections, as when the condition is a complication of a common cold, can be contagious. Mild, coldlike symptoms such as sore throats, sneezing,. Its always better to be safe than sorry. If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. } else { navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); Another factor to look at is how long you've been sick. Depsite COVID Omicron being milder, January 2022 was one of the deadliest months our country has ever seen. If you've been exposed to someone with the virus or have COVID-19 symptoms and are waiting for a . And theyre better than nothing, especially on a weekend if you dont have other choices, Dr. Ruff says. Learn more about what yellow, green, brown, black, and red. OMICRON variant has seen reduced problems with smell loss! We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized." U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection?