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We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized." COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and may have gastrointestinal symptoms, too. If you test negative but still have symptoms or were exposed, your doctor might want you to be tested again in a few days. Despite their overlap, there are some notable differences between sinus infections and COVID-19 as well. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097. 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. "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 is only caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Xu and her team estimate that, in their study, about 60% of the people were vaccinated. You might need antibiotics for a sinus infection that does not get better on its own with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. ", Omicron is spreading at lightning speed. Loss of your sense of taste and smell sometimes accompanies a sinus infection. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID. For instance, common allergy symptoms not associated with COVID-19 include itching and watery eyes. Sarah Ruff, MD is a family medicine physician at UNC Family Medicine at Southpoint. Scientists are trying to figure out why. How can you tell if you have a sinus infection or COVID-19? In March, before Delta was detected and vaccines were widely available, 60% of UK adults ages 16 to 65 on the Zoe app reported loss of smell at some point in their illness. Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. And doctors are finding many of these cases tend to look like an ordinary upper respiratory infection. 1 Signs of Omicron iStock Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. But never had any serious fever beyond 100 and O2 levels were rock solid. Loss of taste or smell was even less common, as the chart below shows. Your Face Mask Can Help, How To Protect Yourself From New COVID-19 Variants. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has surged in the U.K. and is now dominant in the U.S. as well. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. Two main symptoms of sinus infections include congestion and pain or pressure in your face, nose, or ears. 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. And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. Fatigue. To help you figure it out, lets take a closer look at sinusitis. The latest from Ohio State Health & Discovery delivered right to your inbox. Some common sinus infection treatments include: According to the CDC, antibiotics are usually not needed for viral sinus infections. 1 navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); Now amidst the Omicron-wave of infections hitting vaccinated and unvaccinated alike, it is clear in our practice we are seeing a lot of exacerbations of sinus infections. We've rounded up the seven best decongestants to help relieve your pressure, pain, and congestion. How to Treat a Mild Case of Omicron at Home, Walker says, "Most people will liken their Omicron symptoms to a head cold. Long-term (chronic) or severe allergies benefit more from daily treatments, such as Zyrtec or Claritin. However, the CDC notes this list is not exhaustive, and people might experience different symptoms or combinations of symptoms . Along with nasal congestion and headache, sinusitis causes pain around your cheeks and eyes. Click for More Info about Dr. Rogers and how we can help out! How can you tell whether your infection is viral or bacterial based on your symptoms? 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. Learn about tips for relieving symptoms like inflammation, nasal congestion, and irritation. 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. 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. The cause of a sinus infection is inflammation of the sinuses. Some of the most common symptoms include a sinus headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and sneezing. Sinusitis has a tendency to linger and cause sinus pressure, facial pain, and yellow or green mucus. A viral sinus infection will usually start to improve after five to seven days. With some of these key differences in mind, you may be able to figure out whether youre dealing with allergies or sinusitis and take the necessary steps to start feeling better. "It just seems that people who have been vaccinated ahead of time are getting much milder symptoms across the board," he says. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat. "It's a very prominent symptom," said Moreno, an assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine. 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. Severe allergies can lead to a cold-like condition called allergic rhinitis. nausea or vomiting. Her symptoms were similar like a terrible sinus infection and congestion. 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). You should also see your doctor if your OTC antihistamines arent working. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. If you've been exposed to Omicron or think you have the virus, who explained symptoms to watch out for. Two main symptoms of sinus infections include congestion and pain or pressure in your face, nose, or ears. It's inflammation or swelling of your sinuses. What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result, What to Know About Pneumonia and COVID-19. Most people dont require special treatment for the common cold, and theres no vaccine or outright cure. A diet rich in antioxidants can help with chronic inflammation. American Lung Association. Therefore, preventing a sinus infection often means trying to avoid the illnesses that usually precede it. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of a sinus infection may also include dental pain, bad breath, green or yellow mucus, and facial pain. Read our, Causes and Risk Factors of Sinus Infection, COVID-19 Treatments: What You Need to Know, Have Spring Allergies? You may be a good candidate for allergy shots, which can lessen the way your body reacts to allergens over time. Compare the following symptoms to see if you have allergies or a possible sinus infection. If symptoms persist or worsen after 10 days, doctors may prescribe: Chronic sinus infection requires additional treatment focused on managing the severity of symptoms. When it was discovered, omicron alarmed scientists. But experts say symptoms are more like colds and medics have urged the . They might also choose delayed prescribing, where they prescribe an antibiotic for you but suggest that you wait a few days before taking it to see if the infection clears up on its own. Learn some practical steps you can take to ease your symptoms. "We didn't need to do any complicated statistics to see the difference.". Policy. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Sometimes rinsing out your sinuses can help. For example, make sure you wash your hands often and try not to touch your face, nose, or eyes during cold/flu season. Sore throats and runny noses are increasingly common in vaccinated people with Omicron. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. (By contrast, with the original version of the virus, the rate was 1 in 10. 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. ", 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. The omicron variant now represents nearly every Covid case sequenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A sinus infection, sinusitis, occurs when your sinuses become inflamedand blocked. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. Or is it? If you have COVID-19, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. Sinus infections, and related sinus pressure, can cause toothaches. Get the best food tips and diet congestion or runny nose. 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 the chances are much better that you wont need medical attention, you shouldnt hesitate seeking it out if or when you need it. Some antihistamines, such as Benadryl, are usually taken for short-term relief. Since sinus infections are caused by viruses, antibiotics dont generally help. Home remedies can often treat sinus drainage. 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. That's why, she says, everyone should be vaccinated and boosted. Allergies can be chronic or seasonal, but avoidance and medication can help alleviate your symptoms. In other words, what you think of as the common cold. Learn about treatments to help release the pressure and clear up a toothache. You cannot tell if you have COVID or a sinus infection just based on your symptoms alone, especially because so many overlap. Also, the more stressed you are, the more likely you may experience more severe symptoms or a longer duration of illness. COVID-19 and sinus infections both involve the respiratory system. Bacterial and fungal sinus infections often arise this way. Itchy, Red Eyes? runny nose stuffy nose sore throat "Omicron, [meanwhile,] is less likely to invade the lungs," Dr. Singh says. on Hearing Aids Better For Dementia Than Pills? ", 3 The common cold is a minor viral infection of the upper respiratory system thats caused by a wide range of viruses. All rights reserved. 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. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. "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. "People that are vaccinated have a middle-of-the-way course. "A lot of this is probably magnifying these symptoms under a microscope instead of clear changes," he says. They canoccurwith viral infections, too. A commuter masks up for a bus ride in Liverpool, England. It does, says otolaryngologist Raj Sindwani, MD. What Is a Sinus Infection? 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. Three that have gained attention are nausea, night sweats and lower back pain. "It's not like a little tickle in the throat. xhr.send(payload); They might recommend prescription medications instead. The symptoms of a sinus infection include coughing, congestion fever and headacheall of which are symptoms of COVID-19, too. Talk to your teens about their mental health. Glasses vs. contacts: Which is safer for eyes. Mild, coldlike symptoms such as sore throats, sneezing,. While you can take an at-home COVID-19 test, these are not 100% accurate. Most of these patients retained their sense of smell and had disease course taht was brief 3 days or so. A sinus infection that lasts for months is chronic sinusitis, which can be caused by an infection or growths in the nasal cavity. I have seen more patients with lingering sinusitis after Omicron COVID than prior variants. Those symptoms include a runny nose or sniffles, a headache or body aches,. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); "They're young people that typically can push through things. 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. In general, people are contagious for two to three days before COVID-19 symptoms start. 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. The rise of the Omicron variant has only made the situation more complex. "In the older age group, it's still a nasty disease, even if it's less [nasty] than the delta variant," says Dr. Pamela Davis, who's a pulmonologist at Case Western Reserve University and a senior author on the new study. Sinusitis generally lasts longer than a cold; while cases can resolve within 10 days, symptoms can last up to a month. Yellow, Green, Brown, and More: What Does the Color of My Snot Mean? Occurring in an estimated 11.6% of American adults, these infections of the nasal passages tend to be more severe. If your infections occur more frequently, and your doctor really wants to establish if they are bacterial or viral, your Otolaryngologist or ear, nose and throat doctor can sample the snot from your nose when youre infected and send it to a laboratory to know for sure. Suffering from a sinus infection? As one of the largest academic health centers and health sciences campuses in the nation, we are uniquely positioned with renowned experts covering all aspects of health, wellness, science, research and education. So its important to wait and see how long your symptoms last. The yellowish tinge comes from white blood cells that rush to the site of the infection and then are swept away after working . Its probably anothersinus infection. Sinusitis is most often caused by viruses. Physician, Associate Professor ", "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. Medicinal treatment methods vary depending on if the infection is caused by a virus or bacteria. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NYU Medical Center. 2. A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. 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). You dont necessarily have to see your doctor for your allergies. You cant, unfortunatelybecause the symptoms are so similar, you should be tested for COVID-19. And most of all, does this variant cause less severe disease than the variants that have come before it? Rest, relaxation, and fluids are great home remedies. 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. You should also make an appointment if your symptoms worsen or fail to improve despite home treatments. Vaccinated people, he continued, "don't have those respiratory symptoms as much.". Its thought that the initial site of COVID-19 entry for most patients is the nasal passages. The Anosmia/smell dysfunction returned and Im maybe even seeing this smell loss LAST LONGER than the original COVID variants. Colds are more common than sinus infections and symptoms tend to improve quicker. If youre not feeling well, talk to your doctor or find one near you. 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. The only way to know what you have for sure is to see a healthcare provider. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. 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. An accurate diagnosis from a healthcare professional is required to ensure that you get the appropriate treatment. Hearing Aids Better For Dementia Than Pills. Children's Health, Cold and Flu, Infectious Diseases. What those hospital numbers don't tell us is what a typical case looks like. Your immune system responds by releasing a chemical called histamine, which can then cause symptoms such as headache, sneezing, and congestion. If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. If symptoms dont go away after three months, youre considered to have a chronic sinus infection. But this apparent change in the disease that a severe infection in the lungs doesn't seem as common means fewer people need supplemental oxygen or intubation. I do encourage you to get the vaccine and the booster. But you're pushing more and more and more toward the omicron variant," says Davis, who contributed to the study. However, if your symptoms worsen or last longer than two weeks, you should see your doctor for some relief. By Emily Brown, MPH And a small study from Norway found that, among . 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. sore throat. Sinus infections most often occur after a cold or an allergy flare-up or in relation to a nasal condition. As with sinus infections, symptom management as your body develops immunity and fights off the infection is central to care. They're napping more.". As a result, you should experience fewer symptoms. 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. Proper diagnosis is essential, and the doctor will need to know whether you have viral or bacterial sinusitis. Use saline spray two to three times per day in each nostril. If you've been exposed to someone with the virus or have COVID-19 symptoms and are waiting for a . While it's welcome news that omicron is easier on the lungs, ProHEALTH's Griffin says it's not that way for some of his patients. And fewer patients have symptoms related to lower respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, says Vanchiere, including older patients. Most sinus infections are caused by viral infections, such as those that cause the common cold, including the rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Culturing it in a laboratory will reveal which type of bacteria is causing the infection so the right antibiotic can be prescribed. Typical signs of the common cold include: If the symptoms last longer than 10 days, its likely your cold has progressed to a complication or another illness is causing them. Normally they're filled with air. Sure Signs You're Getting Omicron Now, Say Doctors. On Friday Sep 17th 2021 The FDA Advisory Panel made new recommendations about a third [], COVID and Hearing Health Most otolaryngologists will agree that hearing complaints are on the rise [], 2021 Advanced Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, PC, on Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline Progression. 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. This lower risk with omicron is also consistent with what scientists have observed in South Africa and the United Kingdom. If you develop any respiratory symptoms and they do not seem to be getting better, its important to see your doctor. If you have allergies, figuring out your triggers and trying to avoid them will help prevent a flare-up of symptoms that could lead to a sinus infection. Therefore, if you are stressed, you may be at greater risk for contracting Omicron, as the body's defense system is not as robust. But it has taken longer to untangle what, if anything, sets an omicron illness apart from that of its predecessors. This causes an inflammation of the tissues, preventing mucus from exiting the body, and making the sinuses a kind of breeding-ground for germs. "Instead, Omicron is causing more upper respiratory symptoms." Omicron is not. 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. 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 . This itchiness is one of the key distinguishing factors between allergies and sinusitis. Youll also want to wash your hair before bed after being outside and keep your windows closed when pollen counts are high. Many people liken it to a bad cold or sinus infection. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. This all depends on the severity of the virus. Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. How to tell. A sinus infection can happen after a viral illness but can also be caused by allergies. Sinuses are the hollow spaces in the bones of your face that are usually filled with air. Whats the main difference between sinus infection and COVID-19? Like the science and discovery news you find here? The rapid ones are getting better and better as far as accuracy goes.