Infections like RSV and the flu. Runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat were the top five symptoms among people in the UK who recorded a positive COVID-19 test in the past few weeks. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); You might need antibiotics for a sinus infection that does not get better on its own with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. Your doctor might take a watchful waiting approach to see if your immune system can fight the infection. The following chart shows how Omicron symptoms compare to those of its predecessors, based on data collected by the Zoe app. They need rest. Using a humidifier in your bedroom might help. Bacterial sinus infection secondary to COVID-19 may be a cause for lingering loss of smell. single What those hospital numbers don't tell us is what a typical case looks like. All Rights Reserved. Omicron seems to be milder, but does seem to cause infections in many people with the vaccine. A sinus infection occurs when viruses or bacteria cause inflammation and fluid buildup inside your sinuses. We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized." 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. Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. If they're reporting it, they're saying that their throat feels raw.". A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. 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. Allergies or Sinus Infection: How to Tell the Difference - Healthline That all said, this reduction in risk doesn't mean omicron will be mild for everyone. Before Omicron, Moreno said, his COVID-19 patients used to feel sick for about 10 to 14 days. As with previous variants, the vast majority of people infected with omicron have a mix of symptoms that resolve relatively quickly and don't require hospital care. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. Culture techniques or even PCR technology may be used to identify specific pathogens. Some antihistamines, such as Benadryl, are usually taken for short-term relief. It usually spreads between people who are in close contact. Get the best food tips and diet Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A lost of smell or taste is a pretty clear indication its COVID-19, for instance. If you know youre allergic to pollen and that pollen season is around the corner, start taking your antihistamine ahead of time. Bacterial and fungal sinus infections often arise this way. "Omicron can present in a myriad of different ways," he says. Her symptoms were similar like a terrible sinus infection and congestion. Cardiology, Health Disparities, Heart and Vascular Health, Heart Attacks, Research, Women's Health. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. "The cough is milder [than previous variants], if there's any cough at all, and fever seems to be a little less common.". navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { 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. 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. 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. For example, if you have a sinus infection that is caused by allergies, your doctor may prescribe an allergy medicine. Its probably anothersinus infection. A small study released Wednesday by a team of US researchers found that the viral load from an Omicron infection peaked in saliva one to two days before it peaked in nasal swabs, which may. Treat early sinus infection symptoms with rest, hydration and over-the-counter sprays and decongestants. Body aches and fatigue seem to linger longer. Or is it? RSV is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious virus that can infect children and adults. John Carew, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Is It Winter Allergies or COVID-19? - Verywell Health A sinus infection can take several days to improve, but sometimes youll need prescription medications until you start feeling better at all. 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. And after COVID being around for almost 2 years now, it's no surprise that people are starting to become less reactive to it. An Ohio State dermatologist weighs in. "The majority of patients that are coming in are coming in for sinus pressure, congestion, just kind of upper respiratory infections or some even think they have a sinus infection."Dufrene said . Stay home, rest and drink lots of fluids. Asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are considered contagious for five days after a positive test. Managing a sinus infection? 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. Sniffles (Nasal Congestion and Discharge), The Connection Between Nasal Polyps and Sinus Infections, What Causes Fever and Headache Together and How Its Treated. 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. You have a fever (over 100.4 degrees) that persists beyond a few days. Whats the main difference between sinus infection and COVID-19? Some common sinus infection treatments include: According to the CDC, antibiotics are usually not needed for viral sinus infections. If you have severe congestion with either, then an over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription decongestant can help by breaking up mucus in your nasal cavities. 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. Its also important for doctors to ascertain whether youre experiencing a viral or bacterial infection as that can influence treatment. Even your doctor cant tell if your infection is viral or bacterial based solely on symptoms or an exam.. Yellow, Green, Brown, and More: What Does the Color of My Snot Mean? Heres what you need to know about both kinds of infections and how to treat them. Then the researchers looked to see if there was a difference between people infected during the end of the delta wave and those infected during the early stage of the omicron wave. You can protect yourself from COVID-19 by washing your hands . You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: The Procedure and Recovery Process. A sinus infection that lasts for months is chronic sinusitis, which can be caused by an infection or growths in the nasal cavity. Cleveland Clinic. A viral sinus infection will usually begin to improve after five to seven days. As of this month, less than 20% of people in the UK who recorded a positive COVID-19 test were logging the symptom into the Zoe app. This lower risk with omicron is also consistent with what scientists have observed in South Africa and the United Kingdom. If you have COVID-19, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed. As with sinus infections, symptom management as your body develops immunity and fights off the infection is central to care. Because symptoms can overlap, I recommend discussing your condition with your physician and/or getting tested if you think youve got COVID-19. Sinuses are the hollow spaces in the bones of your face that are usually filled with air. A bacterial sinus infection will last seven to 10 days or longer and may get worse after a week. UNC researchers are spreading the word about these disparities and starting a conversation about how to change them. Most of these patients retained their sense of smell and had disease course taht was brief 3 days or so. But you're pushing more and more and more toward the omicron variant," says Davis, who contributed to the study. Can you do anything to get your taste back after a sinus infection? We avoid using tertiary references. 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. Children's Wisconsin. Culturing it in a laboratory will reveal which type of bacteria is causing the infection so the right antibiotic can be prescribed. 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. The nasal sinuses and the middle ear space or hollow pockets in the head and cranial bones that usually are filled with sterile air. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. But former hallmarks of COVID-19 such as fevers, coughs, and loss of taste or smell had dwindled. He added, "It's not as bad as it was." A sinus infection, on the other hand, occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. Your symptoms are persisting or worsening after 10 days. However, if your symptoms worsen or last longer than two weeks, you should see your doctor for some relief.