Both conditions can cause nasal inflammation, along with related symptoms, such as congestion and stuffy nose. "But people who are fresh, with no preexisting immunity, it's hard to see that the virus is milder. "Their symptoms are resolved. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Despite their overlap, there are some notable differences between sinus infections and COVID-19 as well. However, bacterial sinusitis cant be transmitted from person to person. A sinus infection is diagnosed based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. For example, make sure you wash your hands often and try not to touch your face, nose, or eyes during cold/flu season. Your source for health, wellness, innovation and discovery news from the experts at Ohio State. 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. Some symptoms are more common in one condition than the other. Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. Whereas antibiotics will not work for viral cases, they may be prescribed in bacterial cases. You might need antibiotics for a sinus infection that does not get better on its own with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. It also details treatment options for both, why a proper diagnosis is important, and when to see your healthcare provider. With some of these key differences in mind, you may be able to figure out whether youre dealing with allergies or sinusitis and take the necessary steps to start feeling better. Cardiology, Health Disparities, Heart and Vascular Health, Heart Attacks, Research, Women's Health. Its thought that the initial site of COVID-19 entry for most patients is the nasal passages. 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. There are also other precautions that you should take not just to protect yourself from COVID but to help ensure that you do not spread the virus to other people. If you've been exposed to Omicron or think you have the virus, who explained symptoms to watch out for. Proper diagnosis is essential, and the doctor will need to know whether you have viral or bacterial sinusitis. However, it may be helpful to avoid the substances you know youre allergic to as often as you can. You should also see your doctor if your OTC antihistamines arent working. They are highly contagious, with younger children, seniors, those with respiratory conditions, and those with compromised immunity more prone. A doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery if you're experiencing recurrent sinus infections or have a sinus blockage. cases are dropping in certain areas, the pandemic isn't over and Omicron is still infecting thousands of people daily. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hearing Aids Better For Dementia Than Pills. For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. Its also possible to feel foggy and develop a skin rash. Bugs are common during the winter months and with the circulation of Omicron it's important you can tell the difference Credit: Getty - Contributor. } COVID-19 often causes sinus and upper respiratory symptoms such as loss of smell, congestion, and a severe headache. Sinus infections can also cause loss of sense of taste or smell, higher fever, fatigue, and aches in the body. However, there are a few key differences. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group. A study from the U.K. government, published last week, found that three doses of vaccine cuts the risk of hospitalization due to omicron by about 80% compared with a person who's not vaccinated at all. ", RELATED: The #1 Cause of Diabetes, Say Experts, Walker explains, "When news suggested that the Omicron variant was less severe than the Delta variant, people became increasingly lax about getting COVID. Treat early sinus infection symptoms with rest, hydration and over-the-counter sprays and decongestants. Continue taking allergy meds, if you did so previously. A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. This is especially important as cases continue to rise. Bishop S. (2013). Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. 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. "They're not short of breath, and really the lungs are OK," says Roberts, of Yale. Although that could definitely still happen with omicron, the risk appears to be lower than it was with delta. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ), "The risk is not zero," says Xu's colleague Davis, speaking of omicron. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Learn more about what yellow, green, brown, black, and red. 1. A sinus infection that lasts for months is chronic sinusitis, which can be caused by an infection or growths in the nasal cavity. However, Omicron should not be blown off or not taken seriously. Click for More Info about Dr. Rogers and how we can help out! 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. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. After all, COVID-19 is running rampant throughout the world and loss of sense of smell is one of the signs of infection. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. In most cases, they resolve without the need for medical care. This leads to mucus buildup. Colds are usually transmitted via coughed or exhaled droplets or infected surfaces. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { And after COVID being around for almost 2 years now, it's no surprise that people are starting to become less reactive to it. 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. And unlike the common cold, sinus infections can be of both viral and bacterial origin. Another not-yet-peer-reviewed study, published on Wednesday, found that Omicron inherently reduced the risk of severe hospitalization or death from COVID-19 by 25% compared with Delta. The only way to know what you have for sure is to see a healthcare provider. These observations also line up with lab research that shows omicron does not replicate in lung tissue as well as delta. The trapped mucus can allow bacteria to grow, which leads to an infection, Cooling said. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. And is your infection caused by a virus or bacteria and does it really matter? Allergy and sinus infection treatments share some similarities and differences. Learn about treatments to help release the pressure and clear up a toothache. But dont look for an antibiotic unless your illness extends beyond a week, he says. About 80% of the patients at Yale New Haven Hospital are unvaccinated. Use saline spray two to three times per day in each nostril. 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. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page. LOSS OF SMELL is happening in about 50% of patients with Delta Variant COVID. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { doi:10.1177/0194599815572097. And doctors are finding many of these cases tend to look like an ordinary upper respiratory infection. Policy. Chris Vincent, MD, is a licensed physician, surgeon, and board-certified doctor of family medicine. Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. It does, says otolaryngologist Raj Sindwani, MD. Bacterial and fungal sinus infections often arise this way. You cant, unfortunatelybecause the symptoms are so similar, you should be tested for COVID-19. Youll also want to wash your hair before bed after being outside and keep your windows closed when pollen counts are high. The nasal sinuses and the middle ear space or hollow pockets in the head and cranial bones that usually are filled with sterile air. Its probably anothersinus infection. If symptoms dont go away after three months, youre considered to have a chronic sinus infection. Like the science and discovery news you find here? 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. Many people report that one of the first symptoms of Omicron is a sore throat. "Cough is still part of the symptoms," Moreno said. 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. "A lot of this is probably magnifying these symptoms under a microscope instead of clear changes," he says. Asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are considered contagious for five days after a positive test. Talk to your teens about their mental health. 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). Most people dont require special treatment for the common cold, and theres no vaccine or outright cure. Two recent lab studies, which haven't been peer-reviewed, suggested that Omicron could be less effective at attacking lung cells compared with prior variants. Sinus infections most often occur after a cold or an allergy flare-up or in relation to a nasal condition. Your doctor might check your mucus or do an imaging test to confirm the diagnosis. Patients with severe COVID migraine/headache phenomenon may also suffer from some chronic COVID brain symptoms (like chemo brain for patients receiving toxic chemotherapy). Suffering from a sinus infection? They're napping more.". Adults have sinuses behind their cheeks, nose, and forehead. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Sarah Ruff, MD is a family medicine physician at UNC Family Medicine at Southpoint. How to Tell If Its Allergy or Infection. Sinus infections and COVID are not caused by the same things. For example, if you have a sinus infection that is caused by allergies, your doctor may prescribe an allergy medicine. If they're reporting it, they're saying that their throat feels raw.". 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. Long-term (chronic) or severe allergies benefit more from daily treatments, such as Zyrtec or Claritin. Another difference doctors are noticing: Loss of smell and taste considered a telltale sign of COVID-19 is not nearly as common with omicron infections. Sinusitis is most often caused by viruses. Another factor in appropriate treatment is a person's risk factors for severe disease. 2023 UNC Health. All rights reserved. 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. 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. You have a fever (over 100.4 degrees) that persists beyond a few days. That's why, she says, everyone should be vaccinated and boosted. Two main symptoms of sinus infections include congestion and pain or pressure in your face, nose, or ears. Bacteria can also cause sinusitis; these cases tend to arise when theres an existing cold, as the immune system is weakened. 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. 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. Loss of your sense of taste and smell sometimes accompanies a sinus infection. Common colds. For COVID-19, the incubation period can range anywhere from two to 14 days. 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. Vaccinated people, he continued, "don't have those respiratory symptoms as much.". You risk possible side effects and increase your chances of developing antibiotic resistance, which can make future infections harder to treat, says Dr. Sindwani. Common sinus infection bacteria are often Streptococcus species, Moraxella, or Haemophilus. "The cough is milder [than previous variants], if there's any cough at all, and fever seems to be a little less common.". The omicron variant of the coronavirus has surged in the U.K. and is now dominant in the U.S. as well. They need to sleep. What Is 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. This common infection requires antibiotics. 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. 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). 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. The cause of a sinus infection is inflammation of the sinuses. Sniffles (Nasal Congestion and Discharge). He added, "It's not as bad as it was." Xu and her team estimate that, in their study, about 60% of the people were vaccinated. Loss of taste or smell was even less common, as the chart below shows. The Anosmia/smell dysfunction returned and Im maybe even seeing this smell loss LAST LONGER than the original COVID variants. The treatments for a sinus infection and COVID are very different.