Like the science and discovery news you find here? Adults have sinuses behind their cheeks, nose, and forehead. An Ohio State dermatologist weighs in. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group. People have reported symptoms that vary, but are similar to signs of a common cold or flu. Policy. Health spoke with Julia Walker, a registered nurse with Paloma Health who explained symptoms to watch out for. While in the past this has usually turned out to be a sinus infection, youre not so sure this time. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. However, sinus infections have rarely been associated with COVID. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Sinusitis occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. That all said, this reduction in risk doesn't mean omicron will be mild for everyone. 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. With infections at all-time highs in the U.S., the clinical picture is now coming together and starting to confirm what other countries have found a typical case of omicron not only presents . Note:Antibiotics wont help a viral infection, and taking anantibiotic unnecessarilycan do more harm than good. COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and may have gastrointestinal symptoms, too. Additionally, some people who have COVID do not have any symptoms. Since sinus infections are caused by viruses, antibiotics dont generally help. He added, "It's not as bad as it was." If a bacterial infection is suspected, youll probably need to take an antibiotic to clear up the infection and prevent further complications. Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. If youre suffering from chronic sinusitis(nasal congestion, drainage, facial pain/pressure, and a decreased sense of smell lasting 12 weeks or longer)or you are getting frequent sinus infectionsyou should see your doctor, says Dr. Sindwani. They might recommend prescription medications instead. You cannot rule out COVID-19 without a test, says UNC Health family medicine physician Sarah Ruff, MD. Viruses lead to most sinus infections, but bacteria can. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. All Rights Reserved. ", Omicron is spreading at lightning speed. For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. 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. Vaccination reduces your risk of COVID death 90% or more. 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. On average, adults have two to four colds a year, with infants and young children experiencing six to eight. A runny nose and sneezing, congestion, and sore throat are a few symptoms that can pop up if you have . 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. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. Find our most recent COVID-19 articles here and learn the latest in COVID-19 prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the infection. There are differences, but step one if you start to feel bad is to get a COVID test.. Some patients of course are much more ill, with about 5 to 10% needing hospital care, and for those patients sinus infection or ear symptoms may go untreated for longer. The virus spreads from person to person and can cause mild to severe illness. Be on . An accurate diagnosis from a healthcare professional is required to ensure that you get the appropriate treatment. As more mucus is produced, buildup occurs and provides a place for bacteria to grow, which leads to infection. Discover how doctors determine whether your sinus infection is viral or bacterial. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has surged in the U.K. and is now dominant in the U.S. as well. Patients with severe COVID migraine/headache phenomenon may also suffer from some chronic COVID brain symptoms (like chemo brain for patients receiving toxic chemotherapy). 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. Glasses vs. contacts: Which is safer for eyes. While you can take an at-home COVID-19 test, these are not 100% accurate. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. In general, people are contagious for two to three days before COVID-19 symptoms start. The lists of symptoms below are just a starting point and do not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19 or a sinus 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. 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. We've all experienced a cold before and it is no fun. Your Face Mask Can Help, How To Protect Yourself From New COVID-19 Variants. While COVID and sinus infections share some symptoms, they are caused by completely different things. How to Treat a Mild Case of Omicron at Home, Walker says, "Most people will liken their Omicron symptoms to a head cold. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. "In the older age group, it's still a nasty disease, even if it's less [nasty] than the delta variant," says Dr. Pamela Davis, who's a pulmonologist at Case Western Reserve University and a senior author on the new study. 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? ", "While omicron does appear to be less severe compared to delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorized as 'mild,' " said the World Health Organization's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Thursday. 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. In other words, what you think of as the common cold. Sinusitis can occur at any time of the year, but it tends to flare up in cold and flu season and during allergy seasons. 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. 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. 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. So its important to wait and see how long your symptoms last. What Every Woman Needs to Know, 6 Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work. 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. Itchy, Red Eyes? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. There was a strong tendency toward SEVERE SORE THROAT and even GI upset moreso. Some antihistamines, such as Benadryl, are usually taken for short-term relief. Scientists are trying to figure out why. 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. The treatments for a sinus infection and COVID are very different. And doctors are finding many of these cases tend to look like an ordinary upper respiratory infection. Therefore, preventing a sinus infection often means trying to avoid the illnesses that usually precede it. This causes an inflammation of the tissues, preventing mucus from exiting the body, and making the sinuses a kind of breeding-ground for germs. The symptoms of the common cold arise within one to two days of infection. Instead, your doctor lookslargelyat symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. Now amidst the Omicron-wave of infections hitting vaccinated and unvaccinated alike, it is clear in our practice we are seeing a lot of exacerbations of sinus infections. Sinuses are the hollow spaces in the bones of your face that are usually filled with air. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Cardiology, Health Disparities, Heart and Vascular Health, Heart Attacks, Research, Women's Health. With allergic rhinitis, you can have the above symptoms as well as itchy eyes. Pay close attention to symptoms to determine if cause is sinus infection or allergies. 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. Get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated during cold and flu season. Normally they're filled with air. Physician, Associate Professor Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Certainly, while most healthy people will only have mild symptoms, this virus still can cause severe illness in people who are immunosuppressed, including the elderly. And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. Along with falling temperatures and shorter days, sinus infections are a common part of winter. The three symptoms outlined by the NHS include a new persistent cough, a high temperature and a loss of taste and smell. Your doctor will swab your nose to collect mucus. However their natural ventilation tracts tracks can get blocked off allowing for nearby bacteria to take hold and cause painful swelling and infections. There are several ways to treat a sinus infection. A commuter masks up for a bus ride in Liverpool, England. Sinusitis vs. COVID-19. 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 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. Home remedies can often treat sinus drainage. Common sinus infection bacteria are often Streptococcus species, Moraxella, or Haemophilus. This can mean a cold or infection that's progressing.