Allergies or COVID-19: How to Spot the Difference - Verywell Health COVID-19 symptoms and the Omicron variant: What the latest studies show "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. Its also important to avoid being around people who are sick. } ); What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result, What to Know About Pneumonia and COVID-19. Typically, a sinus infection clears up within 2 to 3 weeks. However, if your symptoms worsen or last longer than two weeks, you should see your doctor for some relief. Three that have gained attention are nausea, night sweats and lower back pain. At home this can be done by using a nasal saline solution or Neti pot. However patients with a history of relapsing sinus infections may have more difficult bacteria such as Staphylococcus or very tricky non typical respiratory bacteria. Additionally, some people who have COVID do not have any symptoms. A sinus infection, on the other hand, occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and may have gastrointestinal symptoms, too. However, there are a few key differences. I'm a virologist and here's how to tell the difference between a cold UNC researchers are spreading the word about these disparities and starting a conversation about how to change them. However, an allergy cough is wet, while a COVID-19 cough is dry; and fatigue with allergies tends to be milder than fatigue associated with COVID-19. "People that are vaccinated have a middle-of-the-way course. "Instead, Omicron is causing more upper respiratory symptoms." Omicron is not. 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. COVID-19 lasts for about a week or two depending on its severity and your overall health. Congestion, headache, fever, sore throat, and cough are some examples of symptoms that the two share. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { While in the past this has usually turned out to be a sinus infection, youre not so sure this time. Dr. Jorge Moreno said he's seen an influx of COVID-19 cases lately at his outpatient clinic in Connecticut. "Therefore, people who are chronically ill, immunocompromised, or older adults are at greater risk of getting infected. By contrast, fatigue became more pronounced among outpatients, who often reported feeling tired and achy, Moreno said. Your doctor might check your mucus or do an imaging test to confirm the diagnosis. RSV is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious virus that can infect children and adults. And most of all, does this variant cause less severe disease than the variants that have come before it? Are you contagious before COVID-19 symptoms appear? He added, "It's not as bad as it was." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more about how we use your information by reading our Privacy Policy. If you are two weeks after your COVID-19 was diagnosed, and have recovered otherwise but need a visit for sinus evaluation, call us today. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Talk to your teens about their mental health. Know your treatment options for COVID-19. Loss of your sense of taste and smell sometimes accompanies a sinus infection. Note:Antibiotics wont help a viral infection, and taking anantibiotic unnecessarilycan do more harm than good. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Pay close attention to symptoms to determine if cause is sinus infection or allergies. Heres what you need to know about both kinds of infections and how to treat them. Severe allergies can lead to a cold-like condition called allergic rhinitis. Talk through your symptoms, and then your provider can help you determine the best next steps, Dr. Ruff says. And the smell loss has been worse than the summer Delta surge. Symptoms of COVID-19. Bishop S. (2013). Sarah Ruff, MD is a family medicine physician at UNC Family Medicine at Southpoint. A commuter masks up for a bus ride in Liverpool, England. However their natural ventilation tracts tracks can get blocked off allowing for nearby bacteria to take hold and cause painful swelling and infections. Common sinus infection bacteria are often Streptococcus species, Moraxella, or Haemophilus. Most people were sick 6-9 days. A viral sinus infection will usually begin to improve after five to seven days. Additionally, allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the sinuses may increase the risk of developing sinusitis. Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images But experts say symptoms are more like colds and medics have urged the . However, if you develop severe illness, you may need to receive medical care in the hospital. Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. And this reflects what doctors across the country are now seeing firsthand with their patients. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. Some of these antihistamines also have an added decongestant to them. By clicking "Subscribe" you agree to our Terms of Use. With omicron, the symptoms also come on more quickly once you're infected. After youve tested, call your primary care doctor to schedule an in-person or virtual visit. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. "Omicron can present in a myriad of different ways," he says. While the data doesn't distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated people, 70% of the UK population has had at least two vaccine doses as of Thursday. 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. I have started using montelukast orally post-covid to help block leukotriene cytokine response in the covid sinus patients. Physician, Associate Professor And doctors are finding many of these cases tend to look like an ordinary upper respiratory infection. Often the virus starts with a headache and many think they have a sinus infection. To help you figure it out, lets take a closer look at sinusitis. A runny nose and sneezing, congestion, and sore throat are a few symptoms that can pop up if you have . 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. I have seen more patients with lingering sinusitis after Omicron COVID than prior variants. But Omicron patients report fewer instances of fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell. Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. How to know if those are Omicron COVID symptoms, or just a common cold The only way to know for sure is to see your doctor. "The difference was huge," says data scientist Rong Xu, who led the study and is also at Case Western Reserve University. While COVID and sinus infections share some symptoms, they are caused by completely different things. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. I do encourage you to get the vaccine and the booster. With SARS-CoV-2, the big danger is that a mild illness will turn into a life-threatening one. 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. 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. However, the CDC notes this list is not exhaustive, and people might experience different symptoms or combinations of symptoms . When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. "Therefore, people who are chronically ill, immunocompromised, or older adults are at greater risk of getting infected. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled. If your allergies have you particularly congested, they might also prescribe a decongestant. 2. Children's Health, Cold and Flu, Infectious Diseases. 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). Here's How to Look Decades Younger, 5 Learn more about what yellow, green, brown, black, and red. Sniffles (Nasal Congestion and Discharge). Depsite COVID Omicron being milder, January 2022 was one of the deadliest months our country has ever seen. OMICRON Original: Had much less loss of smell, but mostly sinus congestion symtpoms. Causes: The common cold arises due to infection from any of 200 viruses, with rhinovirus being the most common.While viral infections also cause most sinus infections, more severe types arise due to bacteria exposure. Meanwhile, 44% of people in that group reported a persistent cough, and 29% reported a fever. A sinus infection often follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. "This is a pretty different surge," says Dr. Brendan Carr, chair of emergency medicine for the Mount Sinai Health System where the emergency rooms are busier than ever but many of the COVID-19 patients are not sick enough to be admitted. These cases may require additional treatment or surgery. 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. ", How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast, If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. But it has taken longer to untangle what, if anything, sets an omicron illness apart from that of its predecessors. And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. 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. Mild, coldlike symptoms such as sore throats, sneezing, and runny noses were increasingly common. xhr.send(payload); Vaccinated people, he continued, "don't have those respiratory symptoms as much.". Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. What those hospital numbers don't tell us is what a typical case looks like. Do You Have COVID-19 or a Sinus Infection? | UNC Health Talk Sore throats and runny noses are increasingly common in vaccinated people with Omicron. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. 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. "I've seen a lot more people reporting fatigue as one of their main symptoms," he said. And is your infection caused by a virus or bacteria and does it really matter? Whereas antibiotics will not work for viral cases, they may be prescribed in bacterial cases. Treatment depends on the cause but can include medications to decrease inflammation and treat the infection. For COVID-19, the incubation period can range anywhere from two to 14 days. The highly contagious variant continues to spread across the U.S. and many hospitals remain overcrowded with COVID patients. All rights reserved. Cardiology, Health Disparities, Heart and Vascular Health, Heart Attacks, Research, Women's Health. If they're reporting it, they're saying that their throat feels raw.". It's inflammation or swelling of your sinuses. However, bacterial sinusitis cant be transmitted from person to person. 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. The highly contagious variant continues to spread across the U.S. and many hospitals remain overcrowded with COVID patients. Omicron seems to cause LESS loss of smell due to reduced affinity for the nerve endings! Most sinus infections are caused by viral infections, such as those that cause the common cold, including the rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). } Sinus Infection vs. Cold: How to Tell the Difference - Verywell Health "So this is really something that's different between omicron and delta," Xu says. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. Your source for health, wellness, innovation, research and science news from the experts at Ohio State. They usually resolve within seven to 10 days, with most feeling improvement after a couple days. However really anyone is susceptible to sinusitis every once in a while. Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day. Allergies can be chronic or seasonal, but avoidance and medication can help alleviate your symptoms. Youre experiencing changes in vision or mental function. Your doctor will swab your nose to collect mucus. For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. Symptoms of a sinus infection may also include dental pain, bad breath, green or yellow mucus, and facial pain. Omicron vs. Allergies: How to Tell the Difference - Health Vaccination reduces your risk of COVID death 90% or more. Using a humidifier in your bedroom might help. And unlike the common cold, sinus infections can be of both viral and bacterial origin. How long are you most contagious after a COVID-19 infection? However this leaves the susceptible person open to sinus infections and ear infections caused by bacteria that may last for several more weeks. Infections like RSV and the flu. 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. Despite their overlap, there are some notable differences between sinus infections and COVID-19 as well. Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. Suite 200, Atlanta 30342, Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline Progression. If you test negative but still have symptoms or were exposed, your doctor might want you to be tested again in a few days. A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days. 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. COVID-19 is only caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If you know youre allergic to pollen and that pollen season is around the corner, start taking your antihistamine ahead of time. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. Bacterial and fungal sinus infections often arise this way. However, these conditions arent the same thing. A sinus infection occurs when the fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses) and encourages the growth of germs. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097. The Anosmia/smell dysfunction returned and Im maybe even seeing this smell loss LAST LONGER than the original COVID variants. "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. How can you tell if you have a sinus infection or COVID-19? A 2020 study surveyed 270 outpatients with. 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. COVID-19 often causes sinus and upper respiratory symptoms such as loss of smell, congestion, and a severe headache. Loss of smell was also relatively rare among Omicron patients. every day. Thankfully, both of these conditions are treatable. 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, , 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, a, nd to ensure your health don't miss these, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. However, Omicron should not be blown off or not taken seriously. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. We've rounded up the seven best decongestants to help relieve your pressure, pain, and congestion. The lists of symptoms below are just a starting point and do not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19 or a sinus infection. Colds are more common than sinus infections and symptoms tend to improve quicker. About 80% of the patients at Yale New Haven Hospital are unvaccinated. 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. 1 Signs of Omicron iStock Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. Sinus infection (sinusitis): types, causes, symptoms & treatment. 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.

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