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. Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images 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 . By clicking "Subscribe" you agree to our Terms of Use. Sniffles (Nasal Congestion and Discharge). Discover risk factors such as sinus infections. If you have a disability and experience difficulty accessing this content, contact our webmaster at. Viruses lead to most sinus infections, but bacteria can. Whereas antibiotics will not work for viral cases, they may be prescribed in bacterial cases. Along with nasal congestion and headache, sinusitis causes pain around your cheeks and eyes. 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. Both allergies and sinus infections can feel miserable. 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. And this reflects what doctors across the country are now seeing firsthand with their patients. 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. Like the science and discovery news you find here? While in the past this has usually turned out to be a sinus infection, youre not so sure this time. I recommend that everyone stock up.. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group. 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. However, the CDC notes this list is not exhaustive, and people might experience different symptoms or combinations of symptoms . U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Bishop S. (2013). And theyre better than nothing, especially on a weekend if you dont have other choices, Dr. Ruff says. In infants and the elderly, the symptoms can be more severe. Another difference doctors are noticing: Loss of smell and taste considered a telltale sign of COVID-19 is not nearly as common with omicron infections. Colds are usually transmitted via coughed or exhaled droplets or infected surfaces. How can you tell if you have a sinus infection or COVID-19? Sinusitis is most often caused by viruses. These block the immune systems histamine-producing response whenever you encounter an allergen. Omicron has displaced the once-dominant delta variant in a matter of. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. However, these conditions arent the same thing. An Ohio State expert explains what to expect. Allergy medications wont get rid of sinus infections, though. "The cough is milder [than previous variants], if there's any cough at all, and fever seems to be a little less common.". What those hospital numbers don't tell us is what a typical case looks like. Some of the most common symptoms include a sinus headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and sneezing. Additionally, allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the sinuses may increase the risk of developing sinusitis. Get the best food tips and diet advice Whats the Difference Between Walking Pneumonia and Regular Pneumonia? COVID-19 quarantine and isolation. Policy. Loss of taste or smell was even less common, as the chart below shows. Is your cold really a sinus infection? Symptoms of a sinus infection may also include dental pain, bad breath, green or yellow mucus, and facial pain. Doctors treat viral and bacterial sinus infectionsverydifferently. The severe sore throat is often still. In particular, Xu and her team observed a similar reduction in risk across all age groups, including children under age 5, who are not eligible for vaccination, and children ages 5 to 15, who may have been vaccinated but haven't been boosted. With omicron, the symptoms also come on more quickly once you're infected. How to protect yourself & others. If you know youre allergic to pollen and that pollen season is around the corner, start taking your antihistamine ahead of time. And unlike the common cold, sinus infections can be of both viral and bacterial origin. Like the science and discovery news you find here? ", 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. Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. 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. ", Omicron is spreading at lightning speed. Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. The two share certain symptoms, but also have differences. Loss of your sense of taste and smell sometimes accompanies a sinus infection. 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. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. "A lot of this is probably magnifying these symptoms under a microscope instead of clear changes," he says. They can talk to you about your symptoms, screen you for COVID risk factors, perform diagnostic tests to determine what is making you sick, and make sure that you get the appropriate treatment. on Hearing Aids Better For Dementia Than Pills? 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. Its also important for doctors to ascertain whether youre experiencing a viral or bacterial infection as that can influence treatment. Leukotriene antagonist drugs may be prescribed, and surgery may be considered in cases of a deviated septum. COVID-19 lasts for about a week or two depending on its severity and your overall health. Infections like RSV and the flu. However, it may be helpful to avoid the substances you know youre allergic to as often as you can. Whats the main difference between sinus infection and COVID-19? All Rights Reserved. Mild, coldlike symptoms such as sore throats, sneezing,. "Just like previous variants, omicron is hospitalizing people and it is killing people.". For example, an omicron infection may lead to complications of an existing condition such as diabetes or heart failure. "What we're seeing is something really tips these patients over the edge," says Roberts. The boosted people, in many cases it's almost like an old cold: the sinus symptoms, the sore throat.". As with previous variants, being vaccinated greatly protects you from severe disease with omicron. The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the infection. Most people dont require special treatment for the common cold, and theres no vaccine or outright cure. A sinus infection is diagnosed based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. Its also possible to feel foggy and develop a skin rash. And among those who are vaccinated, almost all have not received a booster shot. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and, in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. Stay home, rest and drink lots of fluids. Still, these two conditions have different causes and symptoms. Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Find our most recent COVID-19 articles here, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, What its like to get an X-ray, and how to prepare, Cardiologist changing the way we care for womens cardiovascular health, Five signs of heart disease that show up in the bedroom. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? A sinus infection can take several days to improve, but sometimes youll need prescription medications until you start feeling better at all. You dont necessarily have to see your doctor for your allergies. 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. Loss of smell was also relatively rare among Omicron patients. However, if you develop severe illness, you may need to receive medical care in the hospital. Hearing Aids Better For Dementia Than Pills. An Ohio State dermatologist weighs in. Sinuses are the hollow spaces in the bones of your face that are usually filled with air. For example, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are more likely with COVID-19, while facial pain is more specific to 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. How Stress Increases the Risk of Getting COVID, "Stress compromises the immune system, throwing off its ability to fight illness," Walker states. ; Duration: Whereas cold symptoms generally start to improve after . Medicinal treatment methods vary depending on if the infection is caused by a virus or bacteria. If symptoms persist or worsen after 10 days, doctors may prescribe: Chronic sinus infection requires additional treatment focused on managing the severity of symptoms. Most of those patients were vaccinated, he said, so their symptoms tended to be milder and relatively short-lived. With some of these key differences in mind, you may be able to figure out whether youre dealing with allergies or sinusitis and take the necessary steps to start feeling better. Learn more about how we use your information by reading our Privacy Policy. Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. The two conditions share many characteristics, and in some cases, sinus infections arise as a complication of colds. Your Face Mask Can Help, How To Protect Yourself From New COVID-19 Variants. 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 The Anosmia/smell dysfunction returned and Im maybe even seeing this smell loss LAST LONGER than the original COVID variants. "So this is really something that's different between omicron and delta," Xu says. COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. 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. Note:Antibiotics wont help a viral infection, and taking anantibiotic unnecessarilycan do more harm than good. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { If your allergies have you particularly congested, they might also prescribe a decongestant. Its always better to be safe than sorry. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. So how can you tell the difference? Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. Discover how doctors determine whether your sinus infection is viral or bacterial. Sinusitis can occur at any time of the year, but it tends to flare up in cold and flu season and during allergy seasons. If they're reporting it, they're saying that their throat feels raw.". Some of these antihistamines also have an added decongestant to them. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page. 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. COVID-19 is most contagious in the 48 hours before symptoms start and the first five days of symptoms. If your infections occur more frequently, and your doctor really wants to establish if they are bacterial or viral, your Otolaryngologist or ear, nose and throat doctor can sample the snot from your nose when youre infected and send it to a laboratory to know for sure. Long-term (chronic) or severe allergies benefit more from daily treatments, such as Zyrtec or Claritin. Is it a cold or sinus infection? For example, make sure you wash your hands often and try not to touch your face, nose, or eyes during cold/flu season. The best ways to clear up viral infections are with the following methods: Viral infections cant be treated with antibiotics. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. Before Omicron, Moreno said, his COVID-19 patients used to feel sick for about 10 to 14 days. Also ask your doctor about recommendations for other medications you can take as preventive measures. During the pandemic, the general public has become more aware of COVID-19 symptoms. This all depends on the severity of the virus. You cannot tell if you have COVID or a sinus infection just based on your symptoms alone, especially because so many overlap. The omicron variant now represents nearly every Covid case sequenced by the 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. You have a stiff neck or swelling around the eyes. The virus spreads from person to person and can cause mild to severe illness. Using a humidifier in your bedroom might help. A bacterial sinus infection will last seven to 10 days or longer and may get worse after a week. Its probably anothersinus infection. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { (By contrast, with the original version of the virus, the rate was 1 in 10. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. If you have allergies, figuring out your triggers and trying to avoid them will help prevent a flare-up of symptoms that could lead to a sinus infection. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? "The most reported symptoms of Omicron are really very much like a cold, especially in people who've been vaccinated," Dr. Claire Steves, a scientist involved with the Zoe COVID Symptom Study, said in a recent video. Dr. Jorge Moreno said he's seen an influx of COVID-19 cases lately at his outpatient clinic in Connecticut. If youre having symptoms, heres when you should call a doctor: Distinguishing between the common cold and sinus infections can be challenging for patients and healthcare providers. A bacterial sinus infection will last seven to 10 days or longer and may get worse after a week. Its also possible to have both conditions at the same time. You can expect to experience many colds throughout your life. In March, before Delta was detected and vaccines were widely available, 60% of UK adults ages 16 to 65 on the Zoe app reported loss of smell at some point in their illness. A doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery if you're experiencing recurrent sinus infections or have a sinus blockage. Were swabbing everyone at my clinic with a respiratory viral panel, which is the same COVID swab, but in addition to COVID, it tells you what virus you have, such as rhinovirus (common cold) or a number of other respiratory viruses; even the flu.. Know your treatment options for COVID-19. While COVID and sinus infections share some symptoms, they are caused by completely different things. People with severe COVID illness usually need to be in the hospital, and some end up needing to be in the intensive care unit (ICU). Meanwhile, 44% of people in that group reported a persistent cough, and 29% reported a fever. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e, RELATED: How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast. They might recommend prescription medications instead. The charts below show which Omicron symptoms are most common and how they compare to prior variants. This can mean a cold or infection that's progressing. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Subscribe. "Cough is still part of the symptoms," Moreno said. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. OMICRON variant has seen reduced problems with smell loss! For COVID-19, the incubation period can range anywhere from two to 14 days. 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. 2023 UNC Health. A commuter masks up for a bus ride in Liverpool, England. This lower risk with omicron is also consistent with what scientists have observed in South Africa and the United Kingdom. The three symptoms outlined by the NHS include a new persistent cough, a high temperature and a loss of taste and smell. If you have respiratory symptoms, its best to talk to your doctor. If you have a sinus infection that is not going away, talk to your doctor about medications and other treatments that can bring you relief. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Learn more about the. Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. Whether your sinus infection turns out to be viral or bacterial, you can help to ease your symptoms early on with supportive sinus care: If your symptoms arent improving after one week, its important to see your doctor. As more mucus is produced, buildup occurs and provides a place for bacteria to grow, which leads to infection. The two conditions can have symptoms that overlap, but some symptoms are more likely to occur in one and not the other. But the omicron variant tends to share many of the same symptoms as the common cold. This article explains how to tell the difference between a a sinus infection and COVID-19. 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. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. Basically, when your immune system is already fighting off a disease, its easier for other pathogens to infect. Some antihistamines, such as Benadryl, are usually taken for short-term relief. We avoid using tertiary references. Sinusitis. Occurring in an estimated 11.6% of American adults, these infections of the nasal passages tend to be more severe. COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and may have gastrointestinal symptoms, too. But as with any variant of SARS-CoV-2, your absolute risk depends on many factors, including whether you're vaccinated and boosted, your age, your overall health and your economic situation. A commuter masks up for a bus ride in Liverpool, England. This fits with early data from the U.K. showing that fever and cough are not as prevalent with omicron cases there and that the five top symptoms are runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and sore throat. 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. When it was discovered, omicron alarmed scientists. "Instead, Omicron is causing more upper respiratory symptoms." Omicron is not. Sore throats were often coupled with sinus congestion and headache, he added, followed by a cough a day or so later.