RSV is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious virus that can infect children and adults. You will be notified of your result, which will be either positive (you have COVID) or negative (you do not have COVID). We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized. 2 charts show how Omicron symptoms differ from Delta and past Fatigue. You have a stiff neck or swelling around the eyes. Know your treatment options for COVID-19. So some of this lower risk could be because of vaccination, but the data altogether suggests that there is a reduced risk for hospitalization with the omicron variant compared with the delta variant. Patients with severe COVID migraine/headache phenomenon may also suffer from some chronic COVID brain symptoms (like chemo brain for patients receiving toxic chemotherapy). 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). The treatments for a sinus infection and COVID are very different. on Hearing Aids Better For Dementia Than Pills? Despite their overlap, there are some notable differences between sinus infections and COVID-19 as well. Sinusitis can occur at any time of the year, but it tends to flare up in cold and flu season and during allergy seasons. Sinusitis has a tendency to linger and cause sinus pressure, facial pain, and yellow or green mucus. I recommend that everyone stock up.. The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the infection. Depsite COVID Omicron being milder, January 2022 was one of the deadliest months our country has ever seen. Sinusitis is most often caused by viruses. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. 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. 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. COVID-19 symptoms and the Omicron variant: What the latest studies show if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { 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. And a small study from Norway found that, among . He added, "It's not as bad as it was." Xu and her team estimate that, in their study, about 60% of the people were vaccinated. For example, the virus that causes the common cold attacks the lining of your sinuses and causes them to swell up. If you've been exposed to Omicron or think you have the virus, who explained symptoms to watch out for. LOSS OF SMELL is happening in about 50% of patients with Delta Variant COVID. For COVID-19, the incubation period can range anywhere from two to 14 days. However, if your symptoms worsen or last longer than two weeks, you should see your doctor for some relief. If you have COVID-19, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. Occurring in an estimated 11.6% of American adults, these infections of the nasal passages tend to be more severe. The Zoe study uses a smartphone app to log how hundreds of thousands of people are feeling every day across the UK. Pay close attention to symptoms to determine if cause is sinus infection or allergies. } else { Symptoms of COVID-19. OMICRON variant has seen reduced problems with smell loss! Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? Treatments include a combinations of medications that are approved to treat COVID-19 and new drugs that have emergency-use authorizations to use for COVID-19, and ones that COVID-19 is an off-label use. 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. What Every Woman Needs to Know, 6 Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work. Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. And just like earlier variants, omicron can't be defined as causing only a narrow group of symptoms. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NYU Medical Center. 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. Sinusitis generally lasts longer than a cold; while cases can resolve within 10 days, symptoms can last up to a month. Don't Ignore Nose Dripping, Don't Ignore Sinus - TheHealthSite Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. COVID-19 is an infection caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Typically, a sinus infection clears up within 2 to 3 weeks. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. How can you tell whether your infection is viral or bacterial based on your symptoms? (By contrast, with the original version of the virus, the rate was 1 in 10. If you have respiratory symptoms, you might fear that you have COVID. It usually spreads between people who are in close contact. Your provider may prescribe antibiotics if your symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days. Therefore, if you are stressed, you may be at greater risk for contracting Omicron, as the body's defense system is not as robust. These observations also line up with lab research that shows omicron does not replicate in lung tissue as well as delta. 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. I'm a virologist and here's how to tell the difference between a cold How to Tell If Its Allergy or Infection. A sinus infection, on the other hand, occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. You might be able to get an over-the-counter test at your local pharmacy or have a test performed at a local health clinic or pharmacy that is sent off to a lab. Bishop S. (2013). Viruses lead to most sinus infections, but bacteria can. Leukotriene antagonist drugs may be prescribed, and surgery may be considered in cases of a deviated septum. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve the swelling of your sinuses. Feminine Odor Problems? If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. As of February 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved two drugs to treat COVID-19: The FDA has granted emergency-use authorizations to a handful of medications that have not yet completed the formal FDA-approval process. Be on . Additionally, people with allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the nasal and facial cavities are at greater risk of developing a sinus infection. 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. Allergies or Sinus Infection: How to Tell the Difference - Healthline 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. Underlying allergy inflammation can lead to sinus infections. They need rest. If they're reporting it, they're saying that their throat feels raw.". This is why you may feel pain or pressure in your face. Many patients with this kind of persisting head pain may benefit from migraine medications or those used to block neural signals upstream of nerve endings. These block the immune systems histamine-producing response whenever you encounter an allergen. Dust mite allergies can be alleviated with weekly house cleanings and bedding washes. A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. COVID-19 is only caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Like the science and discovery news you find here? 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. 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. Allergies can develop at any point in your life. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result, What to Know About Pneumonia and COVID-19. COVID-19 often causes sinus and upper respiratory symptoms such as loss of smell, congestion, and a severe headache. Mild, coldlike symptoms such as sore throats, sneezing,. 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. Common colds. While in the past this has usually turned out to be a sinus infection, youre not so sure this time. Sinuses are the hollow spaces in the bones of your face that are usually filled with air. The latest from Ohio State Health & Discovery delivered right to your inbox. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? The main difference between COVID and a sinus infection is what causes them. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. This lower risk with omicron is also consistent with what scientists have observed in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Yes. American Lung Association. Your doctor might check your mucus or do an imaging test to confirm the diagnosis. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e, RELATED: How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Worried That Sore Throat Is Strep? Get health and wellness tips and information from UNC Health experts once a month! I do encourage you to get the vaccine and the booster. COVID-19 is most contagious in the 48 hours before symptoms start and the first five days of symptoms. And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. An X-ray can be the first line of defense for a health care provider to show whats happening inside your body. "Many people are still going to be admitted to the ICU, and some people are still going to need to have mechanical ventilation.". Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Are you contagious before COVID-19 symptoms appear? COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences? Get articles and stories about health, wellness, medicine, science and education delivered right to your inbox from the experts at Ohio State. And theyre better than nothing, especially on a weekend if you dont have other choices, Dr. Ruff says. Most people dont require special treatment for the common cold, and theres no vaccine or outright cure. The following chart shows how Omicron symptoms compare to those of its predecessors, based on data collected by the Zoe app. Heres what you need to know about both kinds of infections and how to treat them. You can help prevent a sinus infection in much the same way as you would prevent catching cold and flu viruses. A viral sinus infection will usually begin to improve after five to seven days. Facts about the common cold. During the pandemic, the general public has become more aware of COVID-19 symptoms. We've all experienced a cold before and it is no fun. 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. In general, people are contagious for two to three days before COVID-19 symptoms start. Treatment depends on the cause but can include medications to decrease inflammation and treat the infection. Suffering from a sinus infection? You are not the only one! But Omicron patients report fewer instances of fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Itchy, Red Eyes? Congestion, headache, fever, sore throat, and cough are some examples of symptoms that the two share. 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. 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. "Omicron can present in a myriad of different ways," he says. Indeed, hospitalizations across the U.S. now stand at more than 126,000, and more than 1 in every 4 ICU beds is filled with a COVID-19 patient, according to the latest data from the Department of Health and Human Services. Cases of sinus infection that last longer than 12 weeks are considered chronic. These include: The best way to treat COVID-19 depends on how sick a person is. Do you have a sinus infection or COVID-19? - Ohio State University Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. This can mean a cold or infection that's progressing. "The majority of patients that are coming in are coming in for sinus pressure, congestion, just kind of upper respiratory infections or some even think they have a sinus infection."Dufrene said . By contrast, fatigue became more pronounced among outpatients, who often reported feeling tired and achy, Moreno said. So how can you tell the difference? Your source for health, wellness, innovation, research and science news from the experts at Ohio State. ", "While omicron does appear to be less severe compared to delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorized as 'mild,' " said the World Health Organization's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Thursday. So how are respiratory diseases like this diagnosed? 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 . While COVID and sinus infections share some symptoms, they are caused by completely different things. Some patients (about 10%) will have scalp tenderness, pain, and even sometimes PAINFUL HAIR! Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images They canoccurwith viral infections, too. Sinus Infection vs. Cold: How to Tell the Difference - Verywell Health "Instead, Omicron is causing more upper respiratory symptoms." Omicron is not. And most of all, does this variant cause less severe disease than the variants that have come before it?
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