This can mean a cold or infection that's progressing. 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. ", RELATED: Over 60? How Stress Increases the Risk of Getting COVID, "Stress compromises the immune system, throwing off its ability to fight illness," Walker states. Most people dont require special treatment for the common cold, and theres no vaccine or outright cure. A viral sinus infection will usually begin to improve after five to seven days. Common colds. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Another difference is the timeline. So how can you tell the difference? I have seen more patients with lingering sinusitis after Omicron COVID than prior variants. Common sinus infection bacteria are often Streptococcus species, Moraxella, or Haemophilus. sore throat. We've all experienced a cold before and it is no fun. Its also important to avoid being around people who are sick. What Is a Sinus Infection? Managing a sinus infection? However this leaves the susceptible person open to sinus infections and ear infections caused by bacteria that may last for several more weeks. A sinus infection is diagnosed based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. These include: The best way to treat COVID-19 depends on how sick a person is. Sarah Ruff, MD is a family medicine physician at UNC Family Medicine at Southpoint. Omicron seems to cause LESS loss of smell due to reduced affinity for the nerve endings! advice every day. The exception is if youve never been diagnosed with allergies before or if your allergies seem to be getting worse. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. OMICRON VARIANT BA.2: These started popping up late December 21. Glasses vs. contacts: Which is safer for eyes. Bacterial sinus infection secondary to COVID-19 may be a cause for lingering loss of smell. You should also see your doctor if your OTC antihistamines arent working. 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. What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result, What to Know About Pneumonia and COVID-19. But it has taken longer to untangle what, if anything, sets an omicron illness apart from that of its predecessors. "Cough is still part of the symptoms," Moreno said. A viral sinus infection will usually begin to improve after five to seven days. "Those individuals that are boosted, within five days, seven days of their onset of symptoms, their energy level comes back," he said. Its probably anothersinus infection. Sinusitis can occur at any time of the year, but it tends to flare up in cold and flu season and during allergy seasons. 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 . For example, if you have seasonal allergies to pollen, avoid going outdoors when the counts are at their highest. "Just like previous variants, omicron is hospitalizing people and it is killing people.". Use a saline mist spray to hydrate nasal passages. As we enter the second winter season of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can still be confusing trying to tell the difference between winter allergies and COVID symptoms. In most cases, they come back on their own, and treating the underlying cause of the sinusitis will usually bring them back. Persisting " sinus headache " affecting the frontal and ethmoid sinus areas (regions between the eyes and up onto the forehead) is the most common symptom following bacterial-negative COVID sinusitis. Pay close attention to symptoms to determine if cause is sinus infection or allergies. 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. If a person did end up in the hospital, the person's risk of being admitted to the ICU or being put on a ventilator also decreased substantially at the end of December compared with during the delta surge. 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. They might recommend prescription medications instead. Because symptoms can overlap, I recommend discussing your condition with your physician and/or getting tested if you think youve got COVID-19. You can protect yourself from COVID-19 by washing your hands . Infections like RSV and the flu. The common cold is a minor viral infection of the upper respiratory system thats caused by a wide range of viruses. However, there are several key differences: Primarily, sinus infection arises when the sinusesthe passages connecting the mouth, ears, and eyesare exposed to a virus, bacteria or fungi. Instead, your doctor lookslargelyat symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. OMICRON variant has seen reduced problems with smell loss! Learn about tips for relieving symptoms like inflammation, nasal congestion, and irritation. 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. A viral sinus infection will usually start to improve after five to seven days. cases are dropping in certain areas, the pandemic isn't over and Omicron is still infecting thousands of people daily. Both conditions can cause nasal inflammation, along with related symptoms, such as congestion and stuffy nose. Your Face Mask Can Help, How To Protect Yourself From New COVID-19 Variants. Dr. Jorge Moreno said he's seen an influx of COVID-19 cases lately at his outpatient clinic in Connecticut. Were swabbing everyone at my clinic with a respiratory viral panel, which is the same COVID swab, but in addition to COVID, it tells you what virus you have, such as rhinovirus (common cold) or a number of other respiratory viruses; even the flu.. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NYU Medical Center. The Zoe study uses a smartphone app to log how hundreds of thousands of people are feeling every day across the UK. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. Loss of taste or smell was even less common, as the chart below shows. They're napping more.". Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. And doctors are finding a key difference among their patients who are ending up in the ER or being admitted: Many are neither struggling to breathe nor dealing with perilously low oxygen levels. If you're sick, the following is recommended: Additionally, some medications can help, many of which are also used for sinus infections: Making sure your symptoms are more than a cold, and could be those of sinus infection, can be critical for managing the condition. Along with nasal congestion and headache, sinusitis causes pain around your cheeks and eyes. Also, ask your doctor about supplements such as vitamin C to help boost your immune system. In adults and older children, RSV is typically a mild illness very similar to the common cold. Rhinovirus is the most common pathogen, though there are over 200 others, of which certain coronaviruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are more often seen. If you have pet dander allergies, make sure your furry loved ones dont sleep in bed with you and wash your hands after petting them and before touching your face. In its early days, the variant caused an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in South Africathey went from 300 a day in mid-November 2021 to 3,000 a day at the end of that month. All Rights Reserved. 1. What Should You Do If You Feel Sick but Keep Testing Negative for COVID? Normally they're filled with air. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sinus infections can also cause loss of sense of taste or smell, higher fever, fatigue, and aches in the body. To help prevent sinus infections, COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, wear a mask in indoor public places and in a crowd whether youre indoors or outdoors. However, bacterial sinusitis cant be transmitted from person to person. Editors note: As what we know about COVID-19 evolves, so could the information in this story. A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed. It also details treatment options for both, why a proper diagnosis is important, and when to see your healthcare provider. However their natural ventilation tracts tracks can get blocked off allowing for nearby bacteria to take hold and cause painful swelling and infections. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Suffering from a sinus infection? The variant looked wildly different from earlier versions of the coronavirus and it quickly became clear that these mutations gave omicron an uncanny ability to sidestep our vaccines and spread very rapidly. An Ohio State expert explains what to expect. Most often its the result of an infection and can be caused by viruses, bacteria and, less commonly, fungi. Even your doctor cant tell if your infection is viral or bacterial based solely on symptoms or an exam.. You risk possible side effects and increase your chances of developing antibiotic resistance, which can make future infections harder to treat, says Dr. Sindwani. Bugs are common during the winter months and with the circulation of Omicron it's important you can tell the difference Credit: Getty - Contributor. 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. "They're not short of breath, and really the lungs are OK," says Roberts, of Yale. An X-ray can be the first line of defense for a health care provider to show whats happening inside your body. Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis. This is why you may feel pain or pressure in your face. But oddly about half of patients have no runny nose at this point. Although you can get sinusitis year around, it tends . 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. Get the best food tips and diet For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page. As with previous variants, being vaccinated greatly protects you from severe disease with omicron. 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. Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. (2016). 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. The lists of symptoms below are just a starting point and do not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19 or a sinus infection. } The omicron variant of the coronavirus has surged in the U.K. and is now dominant in the U.S. as well. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. 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. 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). Discover how doctors determine whether your sinus infection is viral or bacterial. And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. 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. However, it may be helpful to avoid the substances you know youre allergic to as often as you can. Fatigue. While it's easy to try and work through it, symptoms of respiratory illnesses like the common cold and sinus infection should never be taken lightly. A runny nose and sneezing, congestion, and sore throat are a few symptoms that can pop up if you have . Allergies occur as a result of your immune systems reaction to certain allergens, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. However, there are a few key differences. Doctors treat viral and bacterial sinus infectionsverydifferently. 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. Your source for health, wellness, innovation and discovery news from the experts at Ohio State. But it's very possible that doctors and patients are simply paying more attention to these symptoms than they did with earlier variants, says Dr. Scott Roberts, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the Yale School of Medicine. For example, if you have a sinus infection that is caused by allergies, your doctor may prescribe an allergy medicine. What to Know About Fibromyalgia and COVID-19, Antigen vs. Antibody: Differences and COVID-19 Testing. She also ended up with a painful double ear infection. 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. Do You Have Just a Sore Throat or Is It Strep? Thankfully, both of these conditions are treatable. Cases of sinus infection that last longer than 12 weeks are considered chronic. "So this is really something that's different between omicron and delta," Xu says. congestion or runny nose. Your doctor might take a watchful waiting approach to see if your immune system can fight the infection. Whats the best way to remove skin tags, and why do they form in the first place? With allergic rhinitis, you can have the above symptoms as well as itchy eyes. Several studies have found that the incubation period the time it takes to develop symptoms after being exposed is about three days. Rest, relaxation, and fluids are great home remedies. How to tell. 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. Heather currently freelances for several publications. However patients with a history of relapsing sinus infections may have more difficult bacteria such as Staphylococcus or very tricky non typical respiratory bacteria. Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Is your cold really a sinus infection? As more mucus is produced, buildup occurs and provides a place for bacteria to grow, which leads to infection. A sinus infection can happen after a viral illness but can also be caused by allergies. Vaccines help reduce the severity of disease, but Omicron may be a less virulent virus on its own. 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. We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized." Some viral sinus infections, as when the condition is a complication of a common cold, can be contagious. However, if your symptoms worsen or last longer than two weeks, you should see your doctor for some relief. A sinus infection can take several days to improve, but sometimes youll need prescription medications until you start feeling better at all. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled. What are the symptoms of the flu, COVID-19, and RSV? We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized. Your immune system responds by releasing a chemical called histamine, which can then cause symptoms such as headache, sneezing, and congestion. If you have respiratory symptoms, you might fear that you have COVID. 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. Many people report that one of the first symptoms of Omicron is a sore throat. Some symptoms are more common in one condition than the other. 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. Despite their overlap, there are some notable differences between sinus infections and COVID-19 as well. Click for More Info about Dr. Rogers and how we can help out! Also, the more stressed you are, the more likely you may experience more severe symptoms or a longer duration of illness. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. Read our, Causes and Risk Factors of Sinus Infection, COVID-19 Treatments: What You Need to Know, Have Spring Allergies? The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. All Rights Reserved. The diagnosis cannot be made just by asking you about your symptoms or by doing an exam because the symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. The main difference between COVID and a sinus infection is what causes them. After youve tested, call your primary care doctor to schedule an in-person or virtual visit. Be on . Policy. Is There a Link Between a Low White Blood Cell Count and COVID-19? Some of these antihistamines also have an added decongestant to them. Therefore, treatment is much the same, where you can use over-the-counter nasal decongestants, lozenges for a sore throat, and acetaminophen to treat fever, headaches, and body aches. 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. If you have COVID-19, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. They are highly contagious, with younger children, seniors, those with respiratory conditions, and those with compromised immunity more prone. Along with falling temperatures and shorter days, sinus infections are a common part of winter. COVID-19 is only caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Those two conditions were "a hallmark of the first disease and of delta and not nearly as prominent in omicron," says Mount Sinai's Carr. Its always better to be safe than sorry. When they become blocked and filled with fluid, bacteria can grow there and cause. Typically, a sinus infection clears up within 2 to 3 weeks. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets released when someone breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. "The difference was huge," says data scientist Rong Xu, who led the study and is also at Case Western Reserve University. Allergies can develop at any point in your life. The nasal sinuses and the middle ear space or hollow pockets in the head and cranial bones that usually are filled with sterile air. Sore throats and runny noses are increasingly common in vaccinated people with Omicron. Runny noses have been more common with COVID infections with the newer strains. Your provider may prescribe antibiotics if your symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days. How to Treat a Mild Case of Omicron at Home, Walker says, "Most people will liken their Omicron symptoms to a head cold. "It's mostly that runny nose, sore throat and nasal congestion," says Dr. John Vanchiere, the associate director of the Center for Emerging Viral Threats at LSU Health Shreveport. The virus spreads from person to person and can cause mild to severe illness. Your symptoms are persisting or worsening after 10 days. Sinus infection (sinusitis). Note:Antibiotics wont help a viral infection, and taking anantibiotic unnecessarilycan do more harm than good. It usually spreads between people who are in close contact. We've rounded up the seven best decongestants to help relieve your pressure, pain, and congestion. The only way to know what you have for sure is to see a healthcare provider. Learn more about what yellow, green, brown, black, and red. The three symptoms outlined by the NHS include a new persistent cough, a high temperature and a loss of taste and smell. Omicron seems to be milder, but does seem to cause infections in many people with the vaccine. 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). Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. These observations also line up with lab research that shows omicron does not replicate in lung tissue as well as delta. The highly contagious variant continues to spread across the U.S. and many hospitals remain overcrowded with COVID patients. If you know youre allergic to pollen and that pollen season is around the corner, start taking your antihistamine ahead of time. 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. At home this can be done by using a nasal saline solution or Neti pot. The best ways to clear up viral infections are with the following methods: Viral infections cant be treated with antibiotics. 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 . They need rest. Symptoms of a sinus infection may also include dental pain, bad breath, green or yellow mucus, and facial pain. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The cause of a sinus infection is inflammation of the sinuses. What Every Woman Needs to Know, 6 Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work. All rights reserved. You cannot tell if you have COVID or a sinus infection just based on your symptoms alone, especially because so many overlap. Most of those patients were vaccinated, he said, so their symptoms tended to be milder and relatively short-lived. "Therefore, people who are chronically ill, immunocompromised, or older adults are at greater risk of getting infected. Get health and wellness tips and information from UNC Health experts once a month! "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. Some antihistamines, such as Benadryl, are usually taken for short-term relief. If they're reporting it, they're saying that their throat feels raw.". Often the focus of treatment involves managing the severity of symptoms as natural immunity takes over. 8. What those hospital numbers don't tell us is what a typical case looks like. For milder cases and those within the first 10 days, over the counter medications and at-home treatments include: Decongestants are not recommended for adults or children with acute sinusitis and should not be used for more than three to five days in order to prevent rebound congestion. Your source for health, wellness, innovation, research and science news from the experts at Ohio State. People have reported symptoms that vary, but are similar to signs of a common cold or flu. You can help prevent a sinus infection in much the same way as you would prevent catching cold and flu viruses.