Rest, relaxation, and fluids are great home remedies. Using a humidifier in your bedroom might help. This itchiness is one of the key distinguishing factors between allergies and sinusitis. And fewer patients have symptoms related to lower respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, says Vanchiere, including older patients. 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. Both conditions can cause nasal inflammation, along with related symptoms, such as congestion and stuffy nose. Distinguishing between the common cold and sinus infections can be challenging for patients and healthcare providers alike. Youll need to take the full prescription, even if you start feeling better within a day or two. Patients with severe COVID migraine/headache phenomenon may also suffer from some chronic COVID brain symptoms (like chemo brain for patients receiving toxic chemotherapy). Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Yes. Were hopeful that most people with COVID-19 regain their smell back, but unfortunately many do not. They might recommend prescription medications instead. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. Last medically reviewed on November 20, 2018, A sinus infection occurs when your nasal cavities become swollen, infected, or inflamed. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Sinusitis vs. COVID-19. But Omicron patients report fewer instances of fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell. Find our most recent COVID-19 articles here and learn the latest in COVID-19 prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The only way to know what you have for sure is to see a healthcare provider. That consistency, Xu says, suggests the reduction in severity is due, in part, to something inherent with omicron itself and not simply because of changes in vaccination status. Yellow, Green, Brown, and More: What Does the Color of My Snot Mean? "Their symptoms are resolved. 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. Xu and her team estimate that, in their study, about 60% of the people were vaccinated. Some viral sinus infections, as when the condition is a complication of a common cold, can be contagious. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. 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. Therefore, preventing a sinus infection often means trying to avoid the illnesses that usually precede it. Cold or COVID-19: Symptoms, Differences, and More - Verywell Health Occurring in an estimated 11.6% of American adults, these infections of the nasal passages tend to be more severe. Sure Signs You're Getting Omicron Now, Say Doctors. "Stress not only changes our ability to ward off illness but also decreases our ability to do things that keep us healthy, including getting plenty of sleep, eating well, and exercising. But former hallmarks of COVID-19 such as fevers, coughs, and loss of taste or smell had dwindled. If you test negative but still have symptoms or were exposed, your doctor might want you to be tested again in a few days. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. Her symptoms were similar like a terrible sinus infection and congestion. John Carew, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Viral vs. Bacterial Sinus Infections - Cleveland Clinic About 80% of the patients at Yale New Haven Hospital are unvaccinated. Despite their overlap, there are some notable differences between sinus infections and COVID-19 as well. 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. Worried That Sore Throat Is Strep? Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these, Secret Weight Loss Tricks to Melt Visceral Fat, Science Says, Over 60? However their natural ventilation tracts tracks can get blocked off allowing for nearby bacteria to take hold and cause painful swelling and infections. In the past, it was basically a given that a severe case of COVID-19 would wreak havoc on the lungs, at times leading to pneumonia and uncontrolled inflammation. In most cases, they resolve without the need for medical care. (2016). If you've been exposed to Omicron or think you have the virus, who explained symptoms to watch out for. Learn more about what yellow, green, brown, black, and red. In severe cases, you may need to be treated by an ear, nose and throat doctor. diarrhea. COVID-19 symptoms and the Omicron variant: What the latest studies show 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. Is your cold really a sinus infection? In most cases, they come back on their own, and treating the underlying cause of the sinusitis will usually bring them back. But experts say symptoms are more like colds and medics have urged the . COVID is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. But the omicron variant tends to share many of the same symptoms as the common cold. 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. single ", 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. There's now data indicating just how severe its symptoms might be. 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. As with previous variants, being vaccinated greatly protects you from severe disease with omicron. The omicron variant now represents nearly every Covid case sequenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The symptoms of the common cold arise within one to two days of infection. Doctors try not to prescribe antibiotics unless they are definitely necessary because the over-prescription of antibiotics contributes to the rise of bacteria that is resistant to these drugs. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. You dont necessarily have to see your doctor for your allergies. Omicron seems to be milder, but does seem to cause infections in many people with the vaccine. Additionally, some people who have COVID do not have any symptoms. A sinus infection is caused by inflammation of the sinuses and often follows a cold or allergy flare-up. So how are respiratory diseases like this diagnosed? COVID-19 can only be diagnosed through a test that specifically looks for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in your body. I'm a virologist and here's how to tell the difference between a cold A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. Xu and her colleagues found that the risk of needing to go to the ER dropped from about 15% during the delta surge to 5% during the early omicron surge (about a 70% decrease) and the risk of being hospitalized dropped from 4% to 2% (or by 50%). "If we have a patient who's younger, if we have a patient who's vaccinated, if we have a patient who recently recovered from delta, we're tending to see very mild disease with omicron," says Griffin. RSV is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious virus that can infect children and adults. You cant, on the other hand, fully prevent allergies. 1 Signs of Omicron iStock Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed. Glasses vs. contacts: Which is safer for eyes. 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. "People that are vaccinated have a middle-of-the-way course. Here's How to Look Decades Younger, 5 In other words, what you think of as the common cold. 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. Health spoke with Julia Walker, a registered nurse with Paloma Health who explained symptoms to watch out for. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Allergy Cough vs. COVID Cough: What Are the Differences? "What we're seeing is something really tips these patients over the edge," says Roberts. You should also make an appointment if your symptoms worsen or fail to improve despite home treatments. There are differences, but step one if you start to feel bad is to get a COVID test.. Omicron and its Subvariants: A Guide to What We Know xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. What Is a Sinus Infection? The best ways to clear up viral infections are with the following methods: Viral infections cant be treated with antibiotics. Be on . Omicron seems to cause LESS loss of smell due to reduced affinity for the nerve endings! Doctors treat viral and bacterial sinus infectionsverydifferently. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. } Allergies can be chronic or seasonal, but avoidance and medication can help alleviate your symptoms. 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. The rise of the Omicron variant has only made the situation more complex. Policy. 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. You might need antibiotics for a sinus infection that does not get better on its own with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. They canoccurwith viral infections, too. 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 ); Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID. COVID-19 Vs. Sinus Infections: Know the Difference | MD Now The overlap in symptoms between COVID-19 and sinus infections (sinusitis) make it difficult to tell the two apart. 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. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. "But people who are fresh, with no preexisting immunity, it's hard to see that the virus is milder. And unlike the common cold, sinus infections can be of both viral and bacterial origin. 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. And just like earlier variants, omicron can't be defined as causing only a narrow group of symptoms. The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. How to tell. "Therefore, people who are chronically ill, immunocompromised, or older adults are at greater risk of getting infected. 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.