Get articles and stories about health, wellness, medicine, science and education delivered right to your inbox from the experts at Ohio State. American Lung Association. Sinusitis happens when your sinuses thenormally air-filledpockets in your face become inflamedand blocked. Although you can get sinusitis year around, it tends . Its always better to be safe than sorry. 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. In contrast, delta took about four days, and the original variant took more than five. Itchy, Red Eyes? For example, if you have a sinus infection that is caused by allergies, your doctor may prescribe an allergy medicine. During the pandemic, the general public has become more aware of COVID-19 symptoms. Along with nasal congestion and headache, sinusitis causes pain around your cheeks and eyes. Its also possible to have both conditions at the same time. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a type of coronavirus. Sinus infection (sinusitis). This may be present with runny nose as well, usually on both sides. Sinusitis vs. COVID-19. Your doctor might check your mucus or do an imaging test to confirm the diagnosis. Sore throats and runny noses are increasingly common in vaccinated people with Omicron. The treatments for each condition are also different, which is why its important to see a doctor and get an accurate diagnosis. 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. "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. xhr.send(payload); And theyre better than nothing, especially on a weekend if you dont have other choices, Dr. Ruff says. A sinus infection occurs when the fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses) and encourages the growth of germs. COVID is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. "Therefore, people who are chronically ill, immunocompromised, or older adults are at greater risk of getting infected. Suite 200, Atlanta 30342, Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline Progression. Some photos and videos on this site were filmed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak or may not reflect current physical distancing and/or masking guidelines. Were hopeful that most people with COVID-19 regain their smell back, but unfortunately many do not. You dont ever treat with antibiotics unless its been more than 10 to 14 days because, in that situation, you may have a bacterial infection, Dr. Ruff says. Basically, when your immune system is already fighting off a disease, its easier for other pathogens to infect. That's why, she says, everyone should be vaccinated and boosted. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. cases are dropping in certain areas, the pandemic isn't over and Omicron is still infecting thousands of people daily. This leads to mucus buildup. 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. A sinus infection is diagnosed based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. ", RELATED: Secret Weight Loss Tricks to Melt Visceral Fat, Science Says, 4 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. 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. But oddly about half of patients have no runny nose at this point. Bishop S. (2013). Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. By contrast, fatigue became more pronounced among outpatients, who often reported feeling tired and achy, Moreno said. There was a strong tendency toward SEVERE SORE THROAT and even GI upset moreso. Sarah Ruff, MD is a family medicine physician at UNC Family Medicine at Southpoint. The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the infection. Infections like RSV and the flu. Patients with severe COVID migraine/headache phenomenon may also suffer from some chronic COVID brain symptoms (like chemo brain for patients receiving toxic chemotherapy). Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. "It just seems that people who have been vaccinated ahead of time are getting much milder symptoms across the board," he says. 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. 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. You cannot tell if you have COVID or a sinus infection just based on your symptoms alone, especially because so many overlap. 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. What Is a Sinus Infection? Also ask your doctor about recommendations for other medications you can take as preventive measures. Its probably anothersinus infection. Yes. If you have respiratory symptoms, its best to talk to your doctor. Whether your sinus infection turns out to be viral or bacterial, you can help to ease your symptoms early on with supportive sinus care: If your symptoms arent improving after one week, its important to see your doctor. The Zoe study uses a smartphone app to log how hundreds of thousands of people are feeling every day across the UK. "Their symptoms are resolved. This may show up almost like non specific concussion symptoms with fatigue, mental fatigue, eye fatigue, non specific dizziness, feeling dizzy in wide open places, or feeling dizzy in busy indoor areas. All rights reserved. What those hospital numbers don't tell us is what a typical case looks like. At home this can be done by using a nasal saline solution or Neti pot. 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. Even your doctor cant tell if your infection is viral or bacterial based solely on symptoms or an exam.. When in doubt, see your doctor. People have reported symptoms that vary, but are similar to signs of a common cold or flu. The trapped mucus can allow bacteria to grow, which leads to an infection, Cooling said. 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. The highly contagious variant continues to spread across the U.S. and many hospitals remain overcrowded with COVID patients. However, if your doctor thinks your sinus infection is bacteria-related, they may prescribe an antibiotic. ", Omicron is spreading at lightning speed. Sinus infections most often occur after a cold or an allergy flare-up or in relation to a nasal condition. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Sinus infections also cause thick, discolored mucus, and bad breath. Omicron, the latest variant, is spreading like wildfire across the globe, leading Dr. Anthony Fauci, . By Mark Gurarie However, sinus infections have rarely been associated with COVID. Aside from what causes them, this includes another battery of more unique symptoms. An Ohio State dermatologist weighs in. 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. Theres a powerful story behind every headline at Ohio State Health & Discovery. While you may experience a fever, headache, and cough if you have COVID, you can also have these and other respiratory symptoms if you have another infection or condition. If symptoms dont go away after three months, youre considered to have a chronic sinus infection. Managing a sinus infection? People have reported symptoms that vary, but are similar to signs of a common cold or flu. 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. 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. Dust mite allergies can be alleviated with weekly house cleanings and bedding washes. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Did not lose taste or smell either. Colds are usually transmitted via coughed or exhaled droplets or infected surfaces. That all said, this reduction in risk doesn't mean omicron will be mild for everyone. Sinus infections can also cause loss of sense of taste or smell, higher fever, fatigue, and aches in the body. An X-ray can be the first line of defense for a health care provider to show whats happening inside your body. Sore throat Hoarse voice Cough Fatigue Nasal congestion Runny nose Headache Muscle aches Unlike earlier variants like delta that affected the lungs, omicron and its subvariants tend to cause more. Here's How to Look Decades Younger, 5 You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? The virus spreads through respiratory droplets released when someone breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. (By contrast, with the original version of the virus, the rate was 1 in 10. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? 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 . Get health and wellness tips and information from UNC Health experts once a month! 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. OMICRON VARIANT BA.2: These started popping up late December 21. Loss of your sense of taste and smell sometimes accompanies a sinus infection. For example, if you have seasonal allergies to pollen, avoid going outdoors when the counts are at their highest. 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. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097. For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. 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. COVID-19 is also causing loss of smell in most-if-not-all patients for a short time (some patients have been slow to recover). Treatments your healthcare provider might recommend if you are sick, Runny nose or cold symptoms that last longer than seven to 10 days, Facial pain (pain or pressure in your cheeks, nose, ears, and forehead, or between your eyes), Swelling around the eyes (may get worse in the morning), Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Over-the-counter pain relievers (to relieve aches and fever), Allergy medication (if allergies are a cause), Veklury (remdesivir), an antiviral drug, for adults and children, Olumiant (baricitinib), and immune modulator, for certain hospitalized adults, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir), oral antiviral medications for people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases and are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19, including hospitalization and death, Taking medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) to reduce fever, Staying hydrated (drinking plenty of water or receiving intravenous fluids, if necessary), Medications to treat complications (e.g., blood thinners to treat blood clots), Treatments to reduce an overactive immune response and/or support the bodys immune function, Maintain social distance (six feet apart) between you and people who do not live with you, Avoid crowds and indoor spaces with poor ventilation, Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and/or workplace daily. 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. This article explains how to tell the difference between a a sinus infection and COVID-19. Sniffles (Nasal Congestion and Discharge), The Connection Between Nasal Polyps and Sinus Infections, What Causes Fever and Headache Together and How Its Treated. ", "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. For example, if you're over age 65, your risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19 is still 5% with the omicron variant, which means 1 in 20 people infected in this age group will end up in the hospital. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { 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. Bacterial and fungal sinus infections often arise this way. Find our most recent COVID-19 articles here and learn the latest in COVID-19 prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Loss of taste or smell was even less common, as the chart below shows. Learn more about how we use your information by reading our Privacy Policy. But Roberts says it's still quite rare for people who are vaccinated and boosted to get seriously ill from omicron. Another factor to look at is how long you've been sick. Also explore types, prevention, and more. You can expect to experience many colds throughout your life. The common cold is a minor viral infection of the upper respiratory system thats caused by a wide range of viruses. 2. Get the best food tips and diet } else { "A lot of this is probably magnifying these symptoms under a microscope instead of clear changes," he says. A 2020 study surveyed 270 outpatients with. This type of reaction is caused by a negative response to a substance. A sinus infection, on the other hand, occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. Sinusitis generally lasts longer than a cold; while cases can resolve within 10 days, symptoms can last up to a month. However their natural ventilation tracts tracks can get blocked off allowing for nearby bacteria to take hold and cause painful swelling and infections. We avoid using tertiary references. 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. How to tell. 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. "The difference was huge," says data scientist Rong Xu, who led the study and is also at Case Western Reserve University. 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. Whats the best way to remove skin tags, and why do they form in the first place? This is especially important as cases continue to rise. 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. Common colds. Additionally, people with allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the nasal and facial cavities are at greater risk of developing a sinus infection. Your source for health, wellness, innovation, research and science news from the experts at Ohio State. To help you figure it out, lets take a closer look at sinusitis. Its also possible to feel foggy and develop a skin rash. A commuter masks up for a bus ride in Liverpool, England. Last medically reviewed on November 20, 2018, A sinus infection occurs when your nasal cavities become swollen, infected, or inflamed. Its also important for doctors to ascertain whether youre experiencing a viral or bacterial infection as that can influence treatment. I recommend that everyone stock up.. A sinus infection often follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. You might need antibiotics for a sinus infection that does not get better on its own with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. Additionally, allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the sinuses may increase the risk of developing sinusitis. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. Sinusitis occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. The most common risk factors for sinus infections include: While many sinus infections are complications of a common cold due to a virus, sometimes bacteria and fungi can cause a superimposed infection that is more difficult for the bodys immune system to fight off. Youll also want to wash your hair before bed after being outside and keep your windows closed when pollen counts are high. And fewer patients have symptoms related to lower respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, says Vanchiere, including older patients. "You don't get off scot-free just because you happen to be infected in the time of omicron. For people who are at high risk for severe disease, such as older people or those with underlying health issues, the chance of being hospitalized is still quite significant. The boosted people, in many cases it's almost like an old cold: the sinus symptoms, the sore throat.". "Cough is still part of the symptoms," Moreno said. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes. The two conditions can have symptoms that overlap, but some symptoms are more likely to occur in one and not the other. The charts below show which Omicron symptoms are most common and how they compare to prior variants. These observations also line up with lab research that shows omicron does not replicate in lung tissue as well as delta. She also ended up with a painful double ear infection. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and, in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. How Stress Increases the Risk of Getting COVID, "Stress compromises the immune system, throwing off its ability to fight illness," Walker states. Then check in with your doctor for a prescription and let him or her know if your condition worsens. 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. 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. 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. When they become blocked and filled with fluid, bacteria can grow there and cause. UNC researchers are spreading the word about these disparities and starting a conversation about how to change them. If you have a disability and experience difficulty accessing this content, contact our webmaster at. While in the past this has usually turned out to be a sinus infection, youre not so sure this time. Children's Wisconsin. Instead, your doctor lookslargelyat symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. Sinusitis has a tendency to linger and cause sinus pressure, facial pain, and yellow or green mucus. 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. "People that are vaccinated have a middle-of-the-way course. 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.