Although that could definitely still happen with omicron, the risk appears to be lower than it was with delta. A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed. She also ended up with a painful double ear infection. Omicron seems to be milder, but does seem to cause infections in many people with the vaccine. Cases of sinus infection that last longer than 12 weeks are considered chronic. Lately, he said, people who received a booster shot reported shorter bouts of illness than those who received fewer doses or none at all. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. Even though early data shows that omicron is milder than delta, many hospitals are packed because the sheer number of people getting infected is enormous. Here's How to Look Decades Younger, "While the variant is considered less severe, more people have it than ever before and people are not isolated like in the early phases of the pandemic," says Walker. A 2020 study surveyed 270 outpatients with. Cardiology, Health Disparities, Heart and Vascular Health, Heart Attacks, Research, Women's Health. However their natural ventilation tracts tracks can get blocked off allowing for nearby bacteria to take hold and cause painful swelling and infections. In adults and older children, RSV is typically a mild illness very similar to the common cold. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a type of coronavirus. Is your cold really a sinus infection? The symptoms of sinus infection tend to come on . This may be present with runny nose as well, usually on both sides. If you've been exposed to Omicron or think you have the virus, Eat This, Not That! COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why Hospitals are Overcrowded with Omicron Patients, "While the variant is considered less severe, more people have it than ever before and people are not isolated like in the early phases of the pandemic," says Walker. The yellowish tinge comes from white blood cells that rush to the site of the infection and then are swept away after working . Managing a sinus infection? American Academy of Family Physicians. Underlying allergy inflammation can lead to sinus infections. Ways that you can deal with a mild COVID infection at home include: If you are hospitalized with COVID, you might be given: There are certain things you can do to prevent sinus infections and protect yourself from the COVID-19 virus. Asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are considered contagious for five days after a positive test. 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 . And doctors are finding many of these cases tend to look like an ordinary upper respiratory infection. RSV is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious virus that can infect children and adults. ; Duration: Whereas cold symptoms generally start to improve after . Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. There are differences, but step one if you start to feel bad is to get a COVID test.. What Is a Sinus Infection? Certainly, while most healthy people will only have mild symptoms, this virus still can cause severe illness in people who are immunosuppressed, including the elderly. As the name suggests, this illness is so contagious and widespread that its the single most common cause of doctor visits in the United States. Meanwhile, 44% of people in that group reported a persistent cough, and 29% reported a fever. When the nasal cavity gets inflamed, mucus builds up and gets stuck, further compounding the problem. Long-term (chronic) or severe allergies benefit more from daily treatments, such as Zyrtec or Claritin. Can you do anything to get your taste back after a sinus infection? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery if you're experiencing recurrent sinus infections or have a sinus blockage. As with previous variants, the vast majority of people infected with omicron have a mix of symptoms that resolve relatively quickly and don't require hospital care. To help alleviate your symptoms, stock up on nonprescription pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants and cough drops. Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. How can you tell whether your infection is viral or bacterial based on your symptoms? Use saline spray two to three times per day in each nostril. 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 . The two share certain symptoms, but also have differences. Omicron seems to cause LESS loss of smell due to reduced affinity for the nerve endings! Its probably anothersinus infection. All rights reserved. Basically, when your immune system is already fighting off a disease, its easier for other pathogens to infect. The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the infection. ", 3 Doctors studying Omicron's spread around the world have found new clues to the pattern of symptoms caused by the highly-mutated COVID-19 variant, which a growing number of reports suggest might . The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. "The cough is milder [than previous variants], if there's any cough at all, and fever seems to be a little less common.". "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. 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 face mask, 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, and to ensure your health don't miss these 101 Health Habits You Didn't Know Were Deadly. Feminine Odor Problems? It offers a comprehensive look at how COVID-19 symptoms have changed over the course of the pandemic most notably, with the advent of the Delta and Omicron variants. You cant, on the other hand, fully prevent allergies. Continue taking allergy meds, if you did so previously. Research published in April 2022 in The Lancet also found that . Severe allergies can lead to a cold-like condition called allergic rhinitis. During the pandemic, the general public has become more aware of COVID-19 symptoms. nausea or vomiting. For example, if you have a sinus infection that is caused by allergies, your doctor may prescribe an allergy medicine. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has surged in the U.K. and is now dominant in the U.S. as well. People have reported symptoms that vary, but are similar to signs of a common cold or flu. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Two main symptoms of sinus infections include congestion and pain or pressure in your face, nose, or ears. That's why, she says, everyone should be vaccinated and boosted. Sinusitis. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I do encourage you to get the vaccine and the booster. However, sinus infections have rarely been associated with COVID. A viral sinus infection will usually start to improve after five to seven days. Vaccination reduces your risk of COVID death 90% or more. That all said, this reduction in risk doesn't mean omicron will be mild for everyone. COVID-19 is only caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 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. As with sinus infections, symptom management as your body develops immunity and fights off the infection is central to care. Dr. Jorge Moreno said he's seen an influx of COVID-19 cases lately at his outpatient clinic in Connecticut. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets released when someone breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. Did not lose taste or smell either. Subscribe. You risk possible side effects and increase your chances of developing antibiotic resistance, which can make future infections harder to treat, says Dr. Sindwani. This type of reaction is caused by a negative response to a substance. 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. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Whats the Difference Between Walking Pneumonia and Regular Pneumonia? 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. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. "It's not like a little tickle in the throat. Whereas antibiotics will not work for viral cases, they may be prescribed in bacterial cases. They need rest. Youll also want to wash your hair before bed after being outside and keep your windows closed when pollen counts are high. 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. Along with nasal congestion and headache, sinusitis causes pain around your cheeks and eyes. You will be notified of your result, which will be either positive (you have COVID) or negative (you do not have COVID). 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. Omicron may also change the way the virus replicates or congregates in the body. 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. But Omicron patients report fewer instances of fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell. A runny nose and sneezing, congestion, and sore throat are a few symptoms that can pop up if you have . "Instead, Omicron is causing more upper respiratory symptoms." Omicron is not. The treatments for a sinus infection and COVID are very different. Most people were sick 6-9 days. Sore throats were often coupled with sinus congestion and headache, he added, followed by a cough a day or so later. A lost of smell or taste is a pretty clear indication its COVID-19, for instance. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. How to tell. While COVID and sinus infections share some symptoms, they are caused by completely different things. Sometimes rinsing out your sinuses can help. 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. They can run tests to determine whether or not you have COVID, a sinus infection, or another condition. Last medically reviewed on November 20, 2018, A sinus infection occurs when your nasal cavities become swollen, infected, or inflamed. 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. Depsite COVID Omicron being milder, January 2022 was one of the deadliest months our country has ever seen. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); 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. Instead, your doctor lookslargelyat symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. We've all experienced a cold before and it is no fun. Also, the more stressed you are, the more likely you may experience more severe symptoms or a longer duration of illness. Additionally, some people who have COVID do not have any symptoms. A sinus infection occurs when the fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses) and encourages the growth of germs. Allergies can develop at any point in your life. 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. Several studies have found that the incubation period the time it takes to develop symptoms after being exposed is about three days. However, the CDC notes this list is not exhaustive, and people might experience different symptoms or combinations of symptoms . If you know youre allergic to pollen and that pollen season is around the corner, start taking your antihistamine ahead of time. The three symptoms outlined by the NHS include a new persistent cough, a high temperature and a loss of taste and smell. Culture techniques or even PCR technology may be used to identify specific pathogens. A commuter masks up for a bus ride in Liverpool, England. "It just seems that people who have been vaccinated ahead of time are getting much milder symptoms across the board," he says. As a result, you should experience fewer symptoms. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. 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. While in the past this has usually turned out to be a sinus infection, youre not so sure this time. Some patients (about 10%) will have scalp tenderness, pain, and even sometimes PAINFUL HAIR! 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. 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. (By contrast, with the original version of the virus, the rate was 1 in 10. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled. Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. 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. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. A sinus infection can take several days to improve, but sometimes youll need prescription medications until you start feeling better at all. Three that have gained attention are nausea, night sweats and lower back pain. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); To help you figure it out, lets take a closer look at sinusitis. The trapped mucus can allow bacteria to grow, which leads to an infection, Cooling said. Learn about tips for relieving symptoms like inflammation, nasal congestion, and irritation. And fewer patients have symptoms related to lower respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, says Vanchiere, including older patients. Is it a cold or sinus infection? Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. Learn about treatments to help release the pressure and clear up a toothache. We avoid using tertiary references. Treating your allergy symptoms early on can also help prevent your allergies from getting out of control. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. When they become blocked and filled with fluid, bacteria can grow there and cause. Some common sinus infection treatments include: According to the CDC, antibiotics are usually not needed for viral sinus infections. Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images 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. 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 nasal discharge thats notable with sinusitis. Even your doctor cant tell if your infection is viral or bacterial based solely on symptoms or an exam.. Here's How to Look Decades Younger, 5 For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. 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. Read our, Causes and Risk Factors of Sinus Infection, COVID-19 Treatments: What You Need to Know, Have Spring Allergies? Sinus infections also cause thick, discolored mucus, and bad breath. Yellow mucus. And among those who are vaccinated, almost all have not received a booster shot. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And this reflects what doctors across the country are now seeing firsthand with their patients. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Its also possible to feel foggy and develop a skin rash.