An Ohio State dermatologist weighs in. Youll need to take the full prescription, even if you start feeling better within a day or two. You cannot tell if you have COVID or a sinus infection just based on your symptoms alone, especially because so many overlap. Despite their overlap, there are some notable differences between sinus infections and COVID-19 as well. Another factor to look at is how long you've been sick. "Cough is still part of the symptoms," Moreno said. Its thought that the initial site of COVID-19 entry for most patients is the nasal passages. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. Heather currently freelances for several publications. 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. Back in June, when the Delta variant was dominant in the UK, loss of smell was the sixth most common COVID-19 symptom among fully vaccinated people. But Roberts says it's still quite rare for people who are vaccinated and boosted to get seriously ill from omicron. 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. Sure Signs You're Getting Omicron Now, Say Doctors. Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. Sinus infections, and related sinus pressure, can cause toothaches. Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. In contrast, delta took about four days, and the original variant took more than five. UNC researchers are spreading the word about these disparities and starting a conversation about how to change them. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. Omicron vs. Allergy Symptoms Though COVID-19 and allergies are caused by significantly different thingsthe SARS-CoV-2 virus and airborne substances like pollen, respectivelythe two can. The symptoms of a sinus infection include coughing, congestion fever and headacheall of which are symptoms of COVID-19, too. A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days. Its also important to avoid being around people who are sick. And unlike the common cold, sinus infections can be of both viral and bacterial origin. ", 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. Also ask your doctor about recommendations for other medications you can take as preventive measures. "Stress not only changes our ability to ward off illness but also decreases our ability to do things that keep us healthy, including getting plenty of sleep, eating well, and exercising. When the nasal cavity gets inflamed, mucus builds up and gets stuck, further compounding the problem. And a small study from Norway found that, among . You might be able to get an over-the-counter test at your local pharmacy or have a test performed at a local health clinic or pharmacy that is sent off to a lab. I do encourage you to get the vaccine and the booster. Omicron may also change the way the virus replicates or congregates in the body. Theres a powerful story behind every headline at Ohio State Health & Discovery. 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. How can you tell if you have a sinus infection or COVID-19? A runny nose and sneezing, congestion, and sore throat are a few symptoms that can pop up if you have . 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. 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. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. This causes an inflammation of the tissues, preventing mucus from exiting the body, and making the sinuses a kind of breeding-ground for germs. Its also important for doctors to ascertain whether youre experiencing a viral or bacterial infection as that can influence treatment. While sinus infections (also known as sinusitis) share many symptoms with the common cold and can be a complication of it, there are some key differences. I have seen more patients with lingering sinusitis after Omicron COVID than prior variants. These observations also line up with lab research that shows omicron does not replicate in lung tissue as well as delta. Viruses lead to most sinus infections, but bacteria can. If they have mild to moderate illness and can stay home, but they have certain medical comorbidities, an antiviral treatment may be offered. Last medically reviewed on November 20, 2018, A sinus infection occurs when your nasal cavities become swollen, infected, or inflamed. If you've been exposed to someone with the virus or have COVID-19 symptoms and are waiting for a . This all depends on the severity of the virus. ", 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. Know your treatment options for COVID-19. Your source for health, wellness, innovation and discovery news from the experts at Ohio State. Even though early data shows that omicron is milder than delta, many hospitals are packed because the sheer number of people getting infected is enormous. 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. COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. Severe allergies can lead to a cold-like condition called allergic rhinitis. And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. Common colds. 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. This leads to mucus buildup. Continue taking allergy meds, if you did so previously. (2016). (By contrast, with the original version of the virus, the rate was 1 in 10. Click for More Info about Dr. Rogers and how we can help out! Omicron has displaced the once-dominant delta variant in a matter of. Mild, coldlike symptoms such as sore throats, sneezing,. It's also still not clear how much vaccines and prior infections are responsible for some of these early clinical impressions that omicron is causing a milder constellation of symptoms, says Dr. Daniel Griffin, who's chief of infectious diseases at ProHEALTH in New York and an instructor at Columbia University. 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. A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed. Two main symptoms of sinus infections include congestion and pain or pressure in your face, nose, or ears. COVID-19 and sinus infections both involve the respiratory system. Many people liken it to a bad cold or sinus infection. Another preprint study, released earlier this month, showed that the viral load from an Omicron infection peaked in saliva one to two days before it peaked in nasal swabs a sign that Omicron may infect the throat before it infects the nose. Policy. Proper diagnosis is essential, and the doctor will need to know whether you have viral or bacterial sinusitis. <