sinus infection vs omicron

This can mean a cold or infection that's progressing. 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. Therefore, preventing a sinus infection often means trying to avoid the illnesses that usually precede it. Congestion, headache, fever, sore throat, and cough are some examples of symptoms that the two share. Sinus infections also cause thick, discolored mucus, and bad breath. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. If you have respiratory symptoms, your doctor can use several tests to find out what is causing themfor example, if you have a sinus infection, COVID, or another condition. If youre not feeling well, talk to your doctor or find one near you. This was the case even before omicron: People who had breakthrough infections tended to have fewer symptoms and milder ones than those who were unvaccinated. You should also see your doctor if your OTC antihistamines arent working. 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. Another factor to look at is how long you've been sick. Children's Health, Cold and Flu, Infectious Diseases. This leads to mucus buildup. But Omicron patients report fewer instances of fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell. 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. Managing a sinus infection? You dont necessarily have to see your doctor for your allergies. These observations also line up with lab research that shows omicron does not replicate in lung tissue as well as delta. And is your infection caused by a virus or bacteria and does it really matter? Last medically reviewed on November 20, 2018, A sinus infection occurs when your nasal cavities become swollen, infected, or inflamed. Its also important to avoid being around people who are sick. The yellowish tinge comes from white blood cells that rush to the site of the infection and then are swept away after working . Specifically, the risk of being admitted to the ICU fell from 0.8% to 0.4% (or by 50%) and the chance of being put on a ventilator fell from 0.4% to 0.1%. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page. A commuter masks up for a bus ride in Liverpool, England. Discover how doctors determine whether your sinus infection is viral or bacterial. 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. 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. 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. You have a fever (over 100.4 degrees) that persists beyond a few days. Allergies can develop at any point in your life. Policy. 2 charts show how Omicron symptoms differ from Delta and past Use saline spray two to three times per day in each nostril. 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. ", 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. 2023 UNC Health. If you develop any respiratory symptoms and they do not seem to be getting better, its important to see your doctor. For example, if you have seasonal allergies to pollen, avoid going outdoors when the counts are at their highest. If you have a disability and experience difficulty accessing this content, contact our webmaster at. Do you have a sinus infection or COVID-19? - Ohio State University COVID-19 and sinus infections both involve the respiratory system. Your doctor might check your mucus or do an imaging test to confirm the diagnosis. While you can take an at-home COVID-19 test, these are not 100% accurate. Its also possible to feel foggy and develop a skin rash. "It just seems that people who have been vaccinated ahead of time are getting much milder symptoms across the board," he says. This article explains how to tell the difference between a a sinus infection and COVID-19. However, it may be helpful to avoid the substances you know youre allergic to as often as you can. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. "I've seen a lot more people reporting fatigue as one of their main symptoms," he said. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Aside from what causes them, this includes another battery of more unique symptoms. Is It a Sinus Infection or COVID-19? How to Tell - Healthline While COVID cases are dropping in certain areas, the pandemic isn't over and Omicron is still infecting thousands of people daily. Whats the main difference between sinus infection and COVID-19? Taking the time to properly rest and recover will help ensure your illness doesn't progress into something worse. COVID-19 symptoms and the Omicron variant: What the latest studies show The common cold is a minor viral infection of the upper respiratory system thats caused by a wide range of viruses. For example, the virus that causes the common cold attacks the lining of your sinuses and causes them to swell up. Most people were sick 6-9 days. While in the past this has usually turned out to be a sinus infection, youre not so sure this time. 1. The virus spreads from person to person and can cause mild to severe illness. Loss of smell was also relatively rare among Omicron patients. If a bacterial infection is suspected, youll probably need to take an antibiotic to clear up the infection and prevent further complications. I have started using montelukast orally post-covid to help block leukotriene cytokine response in the covid sinus patients. 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. 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. hide caption. They might recommend prescription medications instead. Typically we allow 7 to 10 days for an acute sinus infection to resolve on its own, but after this point antibiotics or anti-inflammatories or other specialized medications may be needed. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. 1 Typically, youll have facial pain/pressure, headaches, nasal drainage and congestion, decreased or loss of sense of smell, tooth pain and sore throat. } else { An Ohio State dermatologist weighs in. A 2020 study surveyed 270 outpatients with. } 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. ", RELATED: Secret Weight Loss Tricks to Melt Visceral Fat, Science Says, 4 Theres a powerful story behind every headline at Ohio State Health & Discovery. 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). Your symptoms are persisting or worsening after 10 days. Is It Winter Allergies or COVID-19? - Verywell Health If they have mild to moderate illness and can stay home, but they have certain medical comorbidities, an antiviral treatment may be offered. OMICRON VARIANT BA.2: These started popping up late December 21. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: The Procedure and Recovery Process. Additionally, people with allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the nasal and facial cavities are at greater risk of developing a sinus infection. The symptoms of sinus infection tend to come on . 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. What Is a Sinus Infection? Also ask your doctor about recommendations for other medications you can take as preventive measures. Most often its the result of an infection and can be caused by viruses, bacteria and, less commonly, fungi. Compare the following symptoms to see if you have allergies or a possible sinus infection. With information suggesting that symptoms are mild, hospitalizations are low despite some of the highest rates of infection to date, and reports that it isn't infecting the lungs as much as other strains it's no surprise that the general feeling with this variant is more relaxed than with others. 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. The best way to protect yourself from COVID is to get vaccinated and practice protective measures like wearing a face mask, social distancing, and washing your hands. However, if you develop severe illness, you may need to receive medical care in the hospital. Although that could definitely still happen with omicron, the risk appears to be lower than it was with delta. We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized." Still, doctors have noticed a clear gradient of symptoms based on a person's vaccination status. However, these conditions arent the same thing. How to know if those are Omicron COVID symptoms, or just a common cold 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. A diet rich in antioxidants can help with chronic inflammation. A bacterial sinus infection will last seven to 10 days or longer and may get worse after a week. Talk through your symptoms, and then your provider can help you determine the best next steps, Dr. Ruff says. "In this period, we still have delta circulating in the community. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { So how can you tell the difference? Omicron may also change the way the virus replicates or congregates in the body. Rest, relaxation, and fluids are great home remedies. While mild fever may accompany early onset of the cold and is common in children or infants with it, its not a typical feature of this illness in adults. What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result, What to Know About Pneumonia and COVID-19. We've rounded up the seven best decongestants to help relieve your pressure, pain, and congestion. 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. Because symptoms can overlap, I recommend discussing your condition with your physician and/or getting tested if you think youve got COVID-19. 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. 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. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Omicron has displaced the once-dominant delta variant in a matter of. As a result, you should experience fewer symptoms. The omicron subvariant of COVID-19, BA.5, became one of the dominant strains of the virus in the fall of 2022 in the U.S. At that time, it was the most easily spread strain to date and is able to evade immunity from COVID infection and vaccination. 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. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. 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. Using a humidifier in your bedroom might help. In addition, some symptoms of each are not present in the other. 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ", Read the original article on Business Insider, Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram/Getty Images, Jessica Christian/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images, Patrick Pleul/Picture Alliance/Getty Images. 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. Some patients (about 10%) will have scalp tenderness, pain, and even sometimes PAINFUL HAIR! Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day. Mild, coldlike symptoms such as sore throats, sneezing,. This is why you may feel pain or pressure in your face. Common sinus infection bacteria are often Streptococcus species, Moraxella, or Haemophilus. After youve tested, call your primary care doctor to schedule an in-person or virtual visit. ", RELATED: Over 60? We've all experienced a cold before and it is no fun. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve the swelling of your sinuses. Heres what you need to know about both kinds of infections and how to treat them. Mucus Color: What Does it Mean? - Cleveland Clinic Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. 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. Sinus infection is a condition in which the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed. Two main symptoms of sinus infections include congestion and pain or pressure in your face, nose, or ears. Some symptoms are more common in one condition than the other. ), "The risk is not zero," says Xu's colleague Davis, speaking of omicron. Some of the most common symptoms include a sinus headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and sneezing. Its also important for doctors to ascertain whether youre experiencing a viral or bacterial infection as that can influence treatment. 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. The latest from Ohio State Health & Discovery delivered right to your inbox. Even your doctor cant tell if your infection is viral or bacterial based solely on symptoms or an exam.. COVID-19 often causes sinus and upper respiratory symptoms such as loss of smell, congestion, and a severe headache. The rapid ones are getting better and better as far as accuracy goes. And after COVID being around for almost 2 years now, it's no surprise that people are starting to become less reactive to it. Learn some practical steps you can take to ease your symptoms. Her symptoms were similar like a terrible sinus infection and congestion. While COVID and sinus infections share some symptoms, they are caused by completely different things. And among those who are vaccinated, almost all have not received a booster shot. Its thought that the initial site of COVID-19 entry for most patients is the nasal passages. They canoccurwith viral infections, too. If you get a COVID-19 test, remember to mask up and stay away from others until you get your test results. Some common sinus infection treatments include: According to the CDC, antibiotics are usually not needed for viral sinus infections. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. OMICRON variant has seen reduced problems with smell loss!