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The common cold is a minor viral infection of the upper respiratory system thats caused by a wide range of viruses. "Cough is still part of the symptoms," Moreno said. And the smell loss has been worse than the summer Delta surge. I do encourage you to get the vaccine and the booster. Her symptoms were similar like a terrible sinus infection and congestion. Youll also want to wash your hair before bed after being outside and keep your windows closed when pollen counts are high. And just like earlier variants, omicron can't be defined as causing only a narrow group of symptoms. Bacteria can also cause sinusitis; these cases tend to arise when theres an existing cold, as the immune system is weakened. 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. To help alleviate your symptoms, stock up on nonprescription pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants and cough drops. However their natural ventilation tracts tracks can get blocked off allowing for nearby bacteria to take hold and cause painful swelling and infections. Bugs are common during the winter months and with the circulation of Omicron it's important you can tell the difference Credit: Getty - Contributor. Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. Treat early sinus infection symptoms with rest, hydration and over-the-counter sprays and decongestants. Loss of taste or smell was even less common, as the chart below shows. "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. "Therefore, people who are chronically ill, immunocompromised, or older adults are at greater risk of getting infected. You cannot rule out COVID-19 without a test, says UNC Health family medicine physician Sarah Ruff, MD. Both conditions can cause nasal inflammation, along with related symptoms, such as congestion and stuffy nose. Meanwhile, 44% of people in that group reported a persistent cough, and 29% reported a fever. Learn about tips for relieving symptoms like inflammation, nasal congestion, and irritation. Most sinus infections are caused by viral infections, such as those that cause the common cold, including the rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Sinus infection (sinusitis). Continue taking allergy meds, if you did so previously. Sinusitis vs. COVID-19. How to know if those are Omicron COVID symptoms, or just a common cold ", How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast, If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. } ); If this persists, smell training therapy can help, though sometimes (rarely) this loss is permanent. If you have respiratory symptoms, you might fear that you have COVID. A sinus infection is caused by inflammation of the sinuses and often follows a cold or allergy flare-up. COVID-19 is a viral infection, which means that many of the same steps that you would take to protect yourself from a cold or the flu (such as washing your hands and avoiding people who are sick) can help lower your risk of getting the virus. Omicron seems to be milder, but does seem to cause infections in many people with the vaccine. Indeed, hospitalizations across the U.S. now stand at more than 126,000, and more than 1 in every 4 ICU beds is filled with a COVID-19 patient, according to the latest data from the Department of Health and Human Services. COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences? Policy. The most common risk factors for sinus infections include: While many sinus infections are complications of a common cold due to a virus, sometimes bacteria and fungi can cause a superimposed infection that is more difficult for the bodys immune system to fight off. } You can expect to experience many colds throughout your life. Allergy medications wont get rid of sinus infections, though. The two conditions share many characteristics, and in some cases, sinus infections arise as a complication of colds. The main difference between COVID and a sinus infection is what causes them. 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. Before Omicron, Moreno said, his COVID-19 patients used to feel sick for about 10 to 14 days. "Omicron versus delta are really more similar than they are different.". As of February 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved two drugs to treat COVID-19: The FDA has granted emergency-use authorizations to a handful of medications that have not yet completed the formal FDA-approval process. It offers a comprehensive look at how COVID-19 symptoms have changed over the course of the pandemic most notably, with the advent of the Delta and Omicron variants. And unlike the common cold, sinus infections can be of both viral and bacterial origin. If youre not feeling well, talk to your doctor or find one near you. Severe allergies can lead to a cold-like condition called allergic rhinitis. Another factor in appropriate treatment is a person's risk factors for severe disease. Heather currently freelances for several publications. Some of the most common symptoms include a sinus headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and sneezing. With SARS-CoV-2, the big danger is that a mild illness will turn into a life-threatening one. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. Another factor to look at is how long you've been sick. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has surged in the U.K. and is now dominant in the U.S. as well. Some of these antihistamines also have an added decongestant to them. You should also see your doctor if your OTC antihistamines arent working. This leads to mucus buildup. Cases of sinus infection that last longer than 12 weeks are considered chronic. In addition, some symptoms of each are not present in the other. Editors note: As what we know about COVID-19 evolves, so could the information in this story. And a small study from Norway found that, among . However, these conditions arent the same thing. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. RSV is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious virus that can infect children and adults. Instead, your doctor lookslargelyat symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. That all said, this reduction in risk doesn't mean omicron will be mild for everyone. Most people dont require special treatment for the common cold, and theres no vaccine or outright cure. Those two conditions were "a hallmark of the first disease and of delta and not nearly as prominent in omicron," says Mount Sinai's Carr. 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. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NYU Medical Center. Asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are considered contagious for five days after a positive test. <Post COVID Sinus Infections: Omicron Update - Dr. Aaron Rogers | Atlanta 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. Lately, he said, people who received a booster shot reported shorter bouts of illness than those who received fewer doses or none at all. Additionally, people with allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the nasal and facial cavities are at greater risk of developing a sinus infection. By clicking "Subscribe" you agree to our Terms of Use. Talk through your symptoms, and then your provider can help you determine the best next steps, Dr. Ruff says. "It just seems that people who have been vaccinated ahead of time are getting much milder symptoms across the board," he says. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. An X-ray can be the first line of defense for a health care provider to show whats happening inside your body. Theres a powerful story behind every headline at Ohio State Health & Discovery. I thought it was a horrible sinus infection. It was Omicron - reddit Learn about treatments to help release the pressure and clear up a toothache. 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. The boosted people, in many cases it's almost like an old cold: the sinus symptoms, the sore throat.". "In this period, we still have delta circulating in the community. We've all experienced a cold before and it is no fun. Glasses vs. contacts: Which is safer for eyes. If you have a mild case of COVID, you might be able to rest at home and avoid other people until you recover. Adults have sinuses behind their cheeks, nose, and forehead. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group. Learn about the symptoms of a sinus infection and how to, If your nasal discharge is any color other than clear, it could be a sign of an infection. If you have a negative COVID test, we can see you and determine if you have an actual sinus infection and then determine the best treatment, Dr. Ruff says. What we know about the symptoms and the severity - NPR Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Omicron Infection Timeline: Exposure to Immunity - Health Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. 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. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. Dr. Rogers is an otolaryngologist in the Atlanta Georgia (USA) area since 2005 and specializes in seeing chronic sinusitis patients and patients with chronic nasal allergy complaints. Get the best food tips and diet advice every single day, Now, you'll have the best and latest food and healthy eating news right in your inboxevery sore throat. Did not lose taste or smell either. Some patients (about 10%) will have scalp tenderness, pain, and even sometimes PAINFUL HAIR! Another difference is the timeline. When the nasal cavity gets inflamed, mucus builds up and gets stuck, further compounding the problem. In general, people are contagious for two to three days before COVID-19 symptoms start. After youve tested, call your primary care doctor to schedule an in-person or virtual visit. And after COVID being around for almost 2 years now, it's no surprise that people are starting to become less reactive to it. A viral sinus infection will usually begin to improve after five to seven days. In its early days, the variant caused an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in South Africathey went from 300 a day in mid-November 2021 to 3,000 a day at the end of that month. On average, adults have two to four colds a year, with infants and young children experiencing six to eight. Proper diagnosis is essential, and the doctor will need to know whether you have viral or bacterial sinusitis. "Their symptoms are resolved. For instance, common allergy symptoms not associated with COVID-19 include itching and watery eyes. Learn more about how we use your information by reading our Privacy Policy. Discover risk factors such as sinus infections. Here's How to Look Decades Younger, 5 A runny nose and sneezing, congestion, and sore throat are a few symptoms that can pop up if you have . Allergies or COVID-19: How to Spot the Difference - Verywell Health Whats the best way to remove skin tags, and why do they form in the first place? According to the CDC, the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta variant. This type of reaction is caused by a negative response to a substance. How do you know you are infected with Omicron? - Medical News Today 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. I'm a virologist and here's how to tell the difference between a cold That's why, she says, everyone should be vaccinated and boosted. "It's mostly that runny nose, sore throat and nasal congestion," says Dr. John Vanchiere, the associate director of the Center for Emerging Viral Threats at LSU Health Shreveport. 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. COVID-19 and sinus infections both involve the respiratory system. A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days. Ugh. The cause of a sinus infection is inflammation of the sinuses. Although that could definitely still happen with omicron, the risk appears to be lower than it was with delta. Additionally, allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the sinuses may increase the risk of developing sinusitis. The exception is if youve never been diagnosed with allergies before or if your allergies seem to be getting worse. All Rights Reserved. The loss of smell most commonly is resolved by 3 months, but about 20% of patients will have smell loss longer, and about 5% may have permanent loss of smell. every day. The symptoms of sinus infection tend to come on . Sinus infection (sinusitis): types, causes, symptoms & treatment. 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. If you've been exposed to Omicron or think you have the virus, Eat This, Not That! An Ohio State expert explains what to expect. However, there are several key differences: Primarily, sinus infection arises when the sinusesthe passages connecting the mouth, ears, and eyesare exposed to a virus, bacteria or fungi. As with sinus infections, symptom management as your body develops immunity and fights off the infection is central to care. Also explore types, prevention, and more. Read our, Causes and Risk Factors of Sinus Infection, COVID-19 Treatments: What You Need to Know, Have Spring Allergies? congestion or runny nose. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. Viruses lead to most sinus infections, but bacteria can.