And most of all, does this variant cause less severe disease than the variants that have come before it? There's now data indicating just how severe its symptoms might be. Colds are more common than sinus infections and symptoms tend to improve quicker. One of the key differences is the itchiness of your eyes and skin that can occur with allergies, as well as the thick, yellow or green nasal discharge thats notable with sinusitis. American Lung Association. Those symptoms include a runny nose or sniffles, a headache or body aches,. Policy. A doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery if you're experiencing recurrent sinus infections or have a sinus blockage. For instance, common allergy symptoms not associated with COVID-19 include itching and watery eyes. We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. By Emily Brown, MPH Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. 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%. The two share certain symptoms, but also have differences. In other words, what you think of as the common cold. Itchy, Red Eyes? "The cough is milder [than previous variants], if there's any cough at all, and fever seems to be a little less common.". The two conditions can have symptoms that overlap, but some symptoms are more likely to occur in one and not the other. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. A sinus infection often follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. "It's not like a little tickle in the throat. A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. Symptoms like bad breath, yellow or green mucus, fever and headache are not reliable signs of a bacterial infection, he says. But never had any serious fever beyond 100 and O2 levels were rock solid. Visit the link below to find UNC Health Care providers. Normally they're filled with air. A sinus infection that lasts for months is chronic sinusitis, which can be caused by an infection or growths in the nasal cavity. There was a strong tendency toward SEVERE SORE THROAT and even GI upset moreso. Learn more about what yellow, green, brown, black, and red. Use saline spray two to three times per day in each nostril. Omicron seems to cause LESS loss of smell due to reduced affinity for the nerve endings! Talk to your teens about their mental health. The common cold is a minor viral infection of the upper respiratory system thats caused by a wide range of viruses. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. Research published in April 2022 in The Lancet also found that . Sinus infections, and related sinus pressure, can cause toothaches. 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. 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. That all said, this reduction in risk doesn't mean omicron will be mild for everyone. 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. If you get a COVID-19 test, remember to mask up and stay away from others until you get your test results. Some of the most common symptoms include a sinus headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and sneezing. Find our most recent COVID-19 articles here and learn the latest in COVID-19 prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "A lot of this is probably magnifying these symptoms under a microscope instead of clear changes," he says. otolaryngology-assoc.com/our_services/allergies__sinusitis.aspx, newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pay-close-attention-to-symptoms-to-determine-if-cause-is-sinus-infection-or-allergies/, health.clevelandclinic.org/cold-really-sinus-infection-tell/, acaai.org/allergies/types/sinus-infection, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17701-sinusitis, Sinus Infection (Sinusitis): What It Is, Symptoms, and More, Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 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. 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. 2023 UNC Health. ", RELATED: Over 60? For example, if you have a sinus infection that is caused by allergies, your doctor may prescribe an allergy medicine. All Rights Reserved. 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. How can you tell if you have a sinus infection or COVID-19? 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. Often the focus of treatment involves managing the severity of symptoms as natural immunity takes over. 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. Glasses vs. contacts: Which is safer for eyes. COVID-19 is only caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Know your treatment options for COVID-19. So maybe it was just something non covid related Anyway she was exhausted and couldn't work. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NYU Medical Center. You have a stiff neck or swelling around the eyes. The rapid ones are getting better and better as far as accuracy goes. Learn about treatments to help release the pressure and clear up a toothache. But former hallmarks of COVID-19 such as fevers, coughs, and loss of taste or smell had dwindled. Loss of smell was also relatively rare among Omicron patients. 1 A sinus infection occurs when the fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses) and encourages the growth of germs. The treatments for each condition are also different, which is why its important to see a doctor and get an accurate diagnosis. 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. We've rounded up the seven best decongestants to help relieve your pressure, pain, and congestion. When in doubt, see your doctor. For example, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are more likely with COVID-19, while facial pain is more specific to a sinus infection. Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these, Secret Weight Loss Tricks to Melt Visceral Fat, Science Says, Over 60? UNC researchers are spreading the word about these disparities and starting a conversation about how to change them. Omicron, the latest variant, is spreading like wildfire across the globe, leading Dr. Anthony Fauci, . In most cases, they resolve without the need for medical care. Long-term (chronic) or severe allergies benefit more from daily treatments, such as Zyrtec or Claritin. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. Or is it? A sinus infection occurs when viruses or bacteria cause inflammation and fluid buildup inside your sinuses. While it's easy to try and work through it, symptoms of respiratory illnesses like the common cold and sinus infection should never be taken lightly. Meanwhile, 44% of people in that group reported a persistent cough, and 29% reported a fever. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. 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. By contrast, fatigue became more pronounced among outpatients, who often reported feeling tired and achy, Moreno said. 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. This type of reaction is caused by a negative response to a substance. Rest, relaxation, and fluids are great home remedies. We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized." Click for More Info about Dr. Rogers and how we can help out! At the same time, it appears anecdotally at least that certain symptoms show up more with omicron than they did with delta. ", Omicron is spreading at lightning speed. Along with falling temperatures and shorter days, sinus infections are a common part of winter. congestion or runny nose. COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. You should also make an appointment if your symptoms worsen or fail to improve despite home treatments. Your immune system responds by releasing a chemical called histamine, which can then cause symptoms such as headache, sneezing, and congestion. Dr. Jorge Moreno said he's seen an influx of COVID-19 cases lately at his outpatient clinic in Connecticut. Sinusitis. Asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are considered contagious for five days after a positive test. Lately, he said, people who received a booster shot reported shorter bouts of illness than those who received fewer doses or none at all. But the omicron variant tends to share many of the same symptoms as the common cold. A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve the swelling of your sinuses. As the name suggests, this illness is so contagious and widespread that its the single most common cause of doctor visits in the United States. They can run tests to determine whether or not you have COVID, a sinus infection, or another condition. Basically, when your immune system is already fighting off a disease, its easier for other pathogens to infect. While the data doesn't distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated people, 70% of the UK population has had at least two vaccine doses as of Thursday. There are several ways to treat a sinus infection. This article explains how to tell the difference between a a sinus infection and COVID-19. To help alleviate your symptoms, stock up on nonprescription pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants and cough drops. Bacteria can also cause sinusitis; these cases tend to arise when theres an existing cold, as the immune system is weakened. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. 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. A December study from the University of Hong Kong, which hasn't been peer-reviewed, found that Omicron replicated 70 times faster in the main airways, or bronchi, compared with Delta, but 10 times slower in the lung tissue. 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). Here's How to Look Decades Younger, 5 In most cases, when you have a runny nose, headache, and persistent cough, you have a common cold. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Did not lose taste or smell either. Along with nasal congestion and headache, sinusitis causes pain around your cheeks and eyes. 960 Johnson Ferry Rd As with previous variants, being vaccinated greatly protects you from severe disease with omicron. Loss of taste or smell was even less common, as the chart below shows. Like the science and discovery news you find here? <