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. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. 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.. 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. If a bacterial infection is suspected, youll probably need to take an antibiotic to clear up the infection and prevent further complications. The diagnosis cannot be made just by asking you about your symptoms or by doing an exam because the symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. Viruses lead to most sinus infections, but bacteria can. 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. Loss of taste or smell was even less common, as the chart below shows. For some, 'mild' illness from Omicron feels like anything but In most cases, when you have a runny nose, headache, and persistent cough, you have a common cold. 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. This is why you may feel pain or pressure in your face. Your Face Mask Can Help, How To Protect Yourself From New COVID-19 Variants. Is It a Sinus Infection or COVID-19? How to Tell - Healthline Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatments your healthcare provider might recommend if you are sick. In contrast, delta took about four days, and the original variant took more than five. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Its probably anothersinus infection. 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). However patients with a history of relapsing sinus infections may have more difficult bacteria such as Staphylococcus or very tricky non typical respiratory bacteria. A sinus infection is caused by inflammation of the sinuses and often follows a cold or allergy flare-up. Heres what you need to know about both kinds of infections and how to treat them. <Don't Ignore Nose Dripping, Don't Ignore Sinus - TheHealthSite Often the virus starts with a headache and many think they have a sinus infection. Click for More Info about Dr. Rogers and how we can help out! LOSS OF SMELL is happening in about 50% of patients with Delta Variant COVID. Do You Have a Sinus Infection or COVID-19? - GoodRx Cold or COVID-19: Symptoms, Differences, and More - Verywell Health "Therefore, people who are chronically ill, immunocompromised, or older adults are at greater risk of getting infected. Often the focus of treatment involves managing the severity of symptoms as natural immunity takes over. Your nose is all runny and stuffed up, and youre losing your sense of smell. Can you do anything to get your taste back after a sinus infection? You might need antibiotics for a sinus infection that does not get better on its own with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. There's now data indicating just how severe its symptoms might be. COVID-19 is an infection caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. "This is a pretty different surge," says Dr. Brendan Carr, chair of emergency medicine for the Mount Sinai Health System where the emergency rooms are busier than ever but many of the COVID-19 patients are not sick enough to be admitted. Is it a cold or sinus infection? Taking the time to properly rest and recover will help ensure your illness doesn't progress into something worse. A 2020 study surveyed 270 outpatients with. COVID-19 symptoms and the Omicron variant: What the latest studies show "If we have a patient who's younger, if we have a patient who's vaccinated, if we have a patient who recently recovered from delta, we're tending to see very mild disease with omicron," says Griffin. A key difference between the common cold and COVID-19 is the incubation period (time of exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms). People have reported symptoms that vary, but are similar to signs of a common cold or flu. Doctors offer advice about omicron and the holidays If your allergies have you particularly congested, they might also prescribe a decongestant. The latest from Ohio State Health & Discovery delivered right to your inbox. Glasses vs. contacts: Which is safer for eyes. All Rights Reserved. Instead, your doctor lookslargelyat symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve the swelling of your sinuses. Congestion, headache, fever, sore throat, and cough are some examples of symptoms that the two share. Theres a powerful story behind every headline at Ohio State Health & Discovery. 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. Research published in April 2022 in The Lancet also found that . Then the researchers looked to see if there was a difference between people infected during the end of the delta wave and those infected during the early stage of the omicron wave. 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. We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized. And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. Bugs are common during the winter months and with the circulation of Omicron it's important you can tell the difference Credit: Getty - Contributor. All rights reserved. For example, an omicron infection may lead to complications of an existing condition such as diabetes or heart failure. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. 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. During the pandemic, the general public has become more aware of COVID-19 symptoms. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Treatment depends on the cause but can include medications to decrease inflammation and treat the infection. 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 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. It does, says otolaryngologist Raj Sindwani, MD. There was a strong tendency toward SEVERE SORE THROAT and even GI upset moreso. 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. Or is it? How do you know you are infected with Omicron? - Medical News Today Your doctor might check your mucus or do an imaging test to confirm the diagnosis. But dont look for an antibiotic unless your illness extends beyond a week, he says. You may be a good candidate for allergy shots, which can lessen the way your body reacts to allergens over time. Chris Vincent, MD, is a licensed physician, surgeon, and board-certified doctor of family medicine. "I've seen a lot more people reporting fatigue as one of their main symptoms," he said. If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? "So this is really something that's different between omicron and delta," Xu says. This causes an inflammation of the tissues, preventing mucus from exiting the body, and making the sinuses a kind of breeding-ground for germs. Patients with chronic sinusitis have complaints of nasal blockage, facial pressure, eye pressure, runny nose, postnasal drip and headache. This leads to mucus buildup. A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. How long are you most contagious after a COVID-19 infection? Policy. To help alleviate your symptoms, stock up on nonprescription pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants and cough drops. While COVID and sinus infections share some symptoms, they are caused by completely different things. However really anyone is susceptible to sinusitis every once in a while. 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 do encourage you to get the vaccine and the booster. You should also make an appointment if your symptoms worsen or fail to improve despite home treatments. 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. If they have mild to moderate illness and can stay home, but they have certain medical comorbidities, an antiviral treatment may be offered. You cannot rule out COVID-19 without a test, says UNC Health family medicine physician Sarah Ruff, MD. Is your cold really a sinus infection? "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.
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