"Those individuals that are boosted, within five days, seven days of their onset of symptoms, their energy level comes back," he said. Treatments your healthcare provider might recommend if you are sick. For example, an omicron infection may lead to complications of an existing condition such as diabetes or heart failure. Scientists are trying to figure out why. Taking the time to properly rest and recover will help ensure your illness doesn't progress into something worse. 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 . However, bacterial sinusitis cant be transmitted from person to person. 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. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. Additionally, people with allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the nasal and facial cavities are at greater risk of developing a sinus infection. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. The severe sore throat is often still. 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. A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. 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. And a small study from Norway found that, among . 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. advice every day. Treating your allergy symptoms early on can also help prevent your allergies from getting out of control. And among those who are vaccinated, almost all have not received a booster shot. Bugs are common during the winter months and with the circulation of Omicron it's important you can tell the difference Credit: Getty - Contributor. Many patients started out with a dry, scratchy throat that caused sharp pain when they swallowed. Both allergies and sinus infections can feel miserable. The two conditions can have symptoms that overlap, but some symptoms are more likely to occur in one and not the other. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve the swelling of your sinuses. Common colds. The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the infection. Some of the most common symptoms include a sinus headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and sneezing. Leukotriene antagonist drugs may be prescribed, and surgery may be considered in cases of a deviated septum. Both conditions can cause nasal inflammation, along with related symptoms, such as congestion and stuffy nose. Continue taking allergy meds, if you did so previously. Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day. Ugh. 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. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); These cases may require additional treatment or surgery. You have a fever (over 100.4 degrees) that persists beyond a few days. This article explains how to tell the difference between a a sinus infection and COVID-19. Omicron seems to cause LESS loss of smell due to reduced affinity for the nerve endings! ", 3 Lately, he said, people who received a booster shot reported shorter bouts of illness than those who received fewer doses or none at all. If symptoms persist or worsen after 10 days, doctors may prescribe: Chronic sinus infection requires additional treatment focused on managing the severity of symptoms. A doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery if you're experiencing recurrent sinus infections or have a sinus blockage. 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. Despite their overlap, there are some notable differences between sinus infections and COVID-19 as well. 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. Editors note: As what we know about COVID-19 evolves, so could the information in this story. The rapid ones are getting better and better as far as accuracy goes. A sinus infection, sinusitis, occurs when your sinuses become inflamedand blocked. We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized." Your symptoms are persisting or worsening after 10 days. Allergy and sinus infection treatments share some similarities and differences. 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. However their natural ventilation tracts tracks can get blocked off allowing for nearby bacteria to take hold and cause painful swelling and infections. With a scientific background and a passion for creative writing, her work illustrates the value of evidence-based information and creativity in advancing public health. To help alleviate your symptoms, stock up on nonprescription pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants and cough drops. How can you tell if you have a sinus infection or COVID-19? Most sinus infections are viral. If you have respiratory symptoms, its best to talk to your doctor. Heather currently freelances for several publications. 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. In most cases, they come back on their own, and treating the underlying cause of the sinusitis will usually bring them back. If you have COVID-19, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. 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. Typically, a sinus infection clears up within 2 to 3 weeks. Culturing it in a laboratory will reveal which type of bacteria is causing the infection so the right antibiotic can be prescribed. "They're not short of breath, and really the lungs are OK," says Roberts, of Yale. This leads to mucus buildup. Children's Wisconsin. 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. Youll need to take the full prescription, even if you start feeling better within a day or two. Drink clear fluids, such as water and broth. But experts say symptoms are more like colds and medics have urged the . You can help prevent a sinus infection in much the same way as you would prevent catching cold and flu viruses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the CDC, the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta variant. A sinus infection is caused by inflammation of the sinuses and often follows a cold or allergy flare-up. In infants and the elderly, the symptoms can be more severe. Then check in with your doctor for a prescription and let him or her know if your condition worsens. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Still, doctors have noticed a clear gradient of symptoms based on a person's vaccination status. Scientists aren't sure why COVID-19 symptoms are changing. You may be a good candidate for allergy shots, which can lessen the way your body reacts to allergens over time. Like the science and discovery news you find here? 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. A sinus infection can happen after a viral illness but can also be caused by allergies. If a bacterial infection is suspected, youll probably need to take an antibiotic to clear up the infection and prevent further complications. Many patients with this kind of persisting head pain may benefit from migraine medications or those used to block neural signals upstream of nerve endings. "Many people are still going to be admitted to the ICU, and some people are still going to need to have mechanical ventilation.". 8. 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. Common sinus infection bacteria are often Streptococcus species, Moraxella, or Haemophilus. Vaccination reduces your risk of COVID death 90% or more. Do You Have Just a Sore Throat or Is It Strep? A sinus infection, or sinusitis, occurs when your nasal passages get infected. 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. Bacteria can also cause sinusitis; these cases tend to arise when theres an existing cold, as the immune system is weakened. The exception is if youve never been diagnosed with allergies before or if your allergies seem to be getting worse. Body aches and fatigue seem to linger longer. 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. Omicron may also change the way the virus replicates or congregates in the body. A sinus infection often follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Some patients of course are much more ill, with about 5 to 10% needing hospital care, and for those patients sinus infection or ear symptoms may go untreated for longer. Sinus infection is a condition in which the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed. Sarah Ruff, MD is a family medicine physician at UNC Family Medicine at Southpoint. Home remedies can often treat sinus drainage. Xu and her colleagues found that the risk of needing to go to the ER dropped from about 15% during the delta surge to 5% during the early omicron surge (about a 70% decrease) and the risk of being hospitalized dropped from 4% to 2% (or by 50%). South Africa's largest health insurer listed nasal congestion, sore or scratchy throat, dry cough and lower back pain as common Omicron symptoms. 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). Although you can get sinusitis year around, it tends . These include: The best way to treat COVID-19 depends on how sick a person is. 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. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled. } And fewer patients have symptoms related to lower respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, says Vanchiere, including older patients. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID. Occurring in an estimated 11.6% of American adults, these infections of the nasal passages tend to be more severe. Some of the most common symptoms include a sinus headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and sneezing. Facts about the common cold. They usually resolve within seven to 10 days, with most feeling improvement after a couple days. ", Omicron is spreading at lightning speed. Also, the more stressed you are, the more likely you may experience more severe symptoms or a longer duration of illness. A sinus infection, or sinusitis, occurs when the air-filled pockets in the face, called sinuses, fill up with fluid, inflaming the sinus lining and preventing them from draining. Treatment depends on the cause but can include medications to decrease inflammation and treat the infection. Most of those patients were vaccinated, he said, so their symptoms tended to be milder and relatively short-lived. "They're young people that typically can push through things. 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. "In this period, we still have delta circulating in the community. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. However really anyone is susceptible to sinusitis every once in a while. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. UNC researchers are spreading the word about these disparities and starting a conversation about how to change them. Also explore types, prevention, and more. Pay close attention to symptoms to determine if cause is sinus infection or allergies. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-53563316-1&cid=053662ec-447c-49e3-a3fc-38c4554832b7&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=8507895853480345925'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); 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 sinus infection that lasts for months is chronic sinusitis, which can be caused by an infection or growths in the nasal cavity. However, sinus infections have rarely been associated with COVID. 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. What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result, What to Know About Pneumonia and COVID-19. Whats the Difference Between Walking Pneumonia and Regular Pneumonia? Still, these two conditions have different causes and symptoms. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); This can mean a cold or infection that's progressing. 1. How to tell. 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. And most of all, does this variant cause less severe disease than the variants that have come before it? It usually spreads between people who are in close contact. A runny nose and sneezing, congestion, and sore throat are a few symptoms that can pop up if you have . "It's not like a little tickle in the throat. Before Omicron, Moreno said, his COVID-19 patients used to feel sick for about 10 to 14 days. Another difference is the timeline. Several types of COVID tests are available. 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. Depsite COVID Omicron being milder, January 2022 was one of the deadliest months our country has ever seen. This all depends on the severity of the virus. Sinusitis vs. COVID-19. Allergy Cough vs. COVID Cough: What Are the Differences? And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. At the same time, it appears anecdotally at least that certain symptoms show up more with omicron than they did with delta. "But people who are fresh, with no preexisting immunity, it's hard to see that the virus is milder. "The difference was huge," says data scientist Rong Xu, who led the study and is also at Case Western Reserve University. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group. Aside from what causes them, this includes another battery of more unique symptoms. 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.
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