{"id":51491,"date":"2022-05-20T12:30:31","date_gmt":"2022-05-20T16:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=51491"},"modified":"2024-05-28T15:21:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T19:21:46","slug":"sinus-infection-or-covid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/sinus-infection-or-covid\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it a sinus infection or COVID-19?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#symptoms\">Sinus infection symptoms vs. COVID<\/a> | <a href=\"#diagnosis\">Diagnosis<\/a> | <a href=\"#treatment\">Treatment<\/a> | <a href=\"#prevention\">Prevention<\/a> | <a href=\"#faqs\">FAQs<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you know anyone who\u2019s had COVID-19 lately, you\u2019ve probably heard them describe their symptoms as similar to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/coronavirus-symptoms-vs-allergy-symptoms\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allergies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/coronavirus-symptoms-vs-cold-and-flu\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the common cold<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or a sinus infection (aka sinusitis). At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel coronavirus was known for a dry cough, shortness of breath, and loss of smell or taste. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/new-covid-strain\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The newer variants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as Omicron, are often mainly affecting the sinuses. If you find yourself sniffling and sneezing, how do you know if it\u2019s a sinus infection or COVID? Learn how to tell the difference, plus treatment options for both.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"symptoms\">Sinus infection symptoms vs. COVID symptoms<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/sinus-infection-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sinus infections<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> occur when the sinuses, or air-filled pockets in the face, become inflamed and fill up with fluid. Sinus infections can be caused by a virus or bacteria. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/antibiotic-use\/sinus-infection.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common symptoms of a sinus infection include<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stuffy nose or runny nose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facial pain or pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Post-nasal drip<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sore throat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cough<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bad breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19 is a disease caused by <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Sars-CoV-2 virus. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms of COVID-19 can show up anywhere from 2-14 days after exposure, and range from mild to severe, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/symptoms-testing\/symptoms.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. COVID-19 symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever or chills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cough<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle or body aches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New loss of taste or smell<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sore throat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congestion or runny nose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea or vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table class=\"singlecare-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>\n<h3>Is it a sinus infection or COVID? Compare symptoms<\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"header-row\">\n<td><b>Symptom<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Sinus infection<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>COVID<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever or chills<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cough<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortness of breath or<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">difficulty breathing<\/span><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle or body aches<\/span><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of taste or smell<\/span><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sore throat<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congestion or runny nose<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea or vomiting<\/span><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facial pain or pressure<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of taste or smell<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Post-nasal drip<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bad breath<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X<\/span><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id=\"diagnosis\">How to determine if you have a sinus infection or COVID<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a number of overlapping symptoms between COVID-19 and sinus infections. \u201cThese may include fevers, chills, headache, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, along with the feeling of facial pressure,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dr911\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Robert Glatter, MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an emergency medicine physician at<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/lenoxhill.northwell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lenox Hill Hospital<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in New York.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/what-should-i-do-if-i-think-i-have-covid\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> causes upper respiratory tract inflammation, and the sinus cavities are often (if not always) affected to some degree, agrees <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/geoff-trenkle-5a414793\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Geoff Trenkle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DO, board-certified ENT surgeon, CEO and founder of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.laent.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LA Center for Ear, Nose, Throat, and Allergy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because they have such similar symptoms, it\u2019s best to consult with a healthcare professional and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/coronavirus-test-at-home\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">take a COVID-19 test<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/expired-covid-test\/\"><b>Do at-home COVID tests expire?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"treatment\">Treatments<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you test positive for COVID-19, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/coronavirus\/covid-19-treatments-therapeutics\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the following treatments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may be recommended by your healthcare provider:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antiviral medications such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/paxlovid-for-covid-19\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paxlovid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/molnupiravir-covid-pill\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">molnupiravir<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/dexamethasone\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dexamethasone<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/remdesivir\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remdesivir<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/monoclonal-antibodies\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monoclonal antibodies (mAb)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including combined administration of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/145801\/download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bamlanivimab and etesevimab<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, sotrovimab, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/bebtelovimab\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bebtelovimab<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/evusheld-covid-prevention\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evusheld<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/145611\/download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">REGEN-COV<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are hospitalized with COVID-19, other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/combatcovid.hhs.gov\/i-have-covid-19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">treatments have been authorized by the FDA for emergency use<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; these treatments for severe cases include convalescent plasma (blood plasma taken from people who\u2019ve recovered from COVID-19), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/143825\/download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Olumiant (baricitinib)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-drug-treatment-covid-19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Actemra (tocilizumab)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/antibiotic-use\/sinus-infection.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">viral sinus infections<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, supportive care is best, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/consumers\/consumer-updates\/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irrigating the sinuses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a neti pot and saline rinse to loosen mucus<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying warm compresses to relieve facial pain and pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breathing in steam to open up nasal passages<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/acetaminophen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tylenol (acetaminophen)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/ibuprofen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advil (ibuprofen)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/naproxen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aleve (naproxen)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/saline-nasal-spray\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">saline nasal spray<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to reduce sinus congestion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trying a decongestant or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/postnasal-drip-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nasal corticosteroid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to reduce inflammation and decrease mucus production<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your infection is caused by bacteria, you will need antibiotics to cure it. \u201cIn general, if your sinus symptoms last greater than 10-14 days, the chances of having a bacterial sinus infection are more likely,&#8221; says Dr. Glatter. For sinus infections caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/amoxicillin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amoxicillin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/augmentin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Augmentin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may be prescribed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/sinus-infection-treatment-and-medications\"><b>See more sinus infection treatments and medications<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"prevention\">Prevention<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To prevent a sinus infection, Dr. Trenkle advises good nasal hygiene. That can include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Performing daily nasal rinses with saline to improve mucus flow and prevent inflammation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding contact with people who are sick with a respiratory infection<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washing your hands regularly with soap and water<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Running a humidifier and air cleaner to improve your home\u2019s air quality<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding triggers for sinus problems, including allergens, tobacco smoke, and polluted air<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To prevent COVID-19, it\u2019s vital to ensure you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/covid-booster-shot\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">booster shots<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then, take precautions when you are in crowded, indoor spaces, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/face-masks\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wearing a mask<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-wash-your-hands\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washing hands<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/social-distance-coronavirus-isolation-precautions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Practicing social distancing from others<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The importance of sleep as preventive medicine cannot be understated, Dr Trenkle stresses. Good sleep allows the body to improve the primary immune response, and that is your first<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">line of defense against viral infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faqs\">Sinus infection vs. COVID FAQs<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still unsure what\u2019s causing your symptoms? Read on to learn answers to these frequently asked questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can a sinus infection cause a positive rapid COVID test?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will only test positive for COVID-19 if you have a Sars-CoV-2 infection. Sinus infections that are caused by another virus or bacteria will not result in a positive rapid test.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can COVID cause sinus pressure?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID can cause sinus inflammation and subsequent sinus pressure. Sinusitis also causes congestion, nasal drainage (post-nasal drip), productive cough (mucus), along with facial pressure and a facial headache between your upper cheeks, forehead, or between the eyes, says Dr. Glatter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does a COVID headache feel like a sinus headache?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A COVID headache can feel a lot like a sinus headache. That\u2019s because inflammation from a COVID-19 infection often affects the sinuses. COVID-19 can also cause other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/types-of-headaches\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">types of headaches<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does loss of smell associated with a sinus infection differ from that of COVID-19?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is possible to lose your sense of taste or smell with a sinus infection or with COVID-19, says Dr. Glatter. With COVID-19, losing your sense of taste or sense of smell often occurs without experiencing any nasal congestion<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, newer variants, such as Omicron, typically present with sore throat, hoarseness, congestion, aches, runny nose, fatigue, and possibly a dry cough. \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/journals\/lancet\/article\/PIIS0140-6736%2822%2900327-0\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of taste and smell was more typical with Delta and the original \u2018wild strain\u2019 of SARS-CoV-2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d says Dr. Glatter.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you get a sinus infection after COVID?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is possible to get a bacterial sinus infection after having COVID-19. The acute inflammatory response from viral upper respiratory infections can cause the sinuses to close up and become infected\u2014especially if you have chronic sinusitis. \u201cThose that get sinus infections often are more susceptible due to lack of good mucociliary flow,\u201d explains Dr. Trenkle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is a sinus infection contagious?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The majority of sinus infections are caused by viruses. If your infection is viral, then it\u2019s possible to spread the virus that caused the sinus infection, but the infection itself that is already established is not transmissible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAnother person who caught the virus you carried may or may not become ill,\u201d Dr. Glatter says. Whether they get sick depends on their immune defenses, sinus anatomy, general health, along with underlying medical conditions. The majority of such viruses typically lead to colds or cold-like symptoms (nasal congestion, sneezing or a runny nose), but not to sinus infections.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which is worse: sinus infection or COVID?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bacterial sinus infections very rarely cause deaths, and typically only for people with severe immune system issues. COVID-19 is an extremely infectious disease that affects everyone differently. Even otherwise healthy people can develop severe symptoms. \u201cSinus infections are often only deadly in the face of significant immunocompromise, whereas <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2021\/us\/covid-cases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19 has killed almost 1,000,000 people in the United States as of April, 2022<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d says Dr. Trenkle. \u201cThe short answer is COVID.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sinus infection symptoms vs. COVID | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prevention | FAQs If you know anyone who\u2019s had COVID-19 lately, you\u2019ve probably heard them describe their symptoms as similar to allergies, the common cold, or a sinus infection (aka sinusitis). At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel coronavirus was known for a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":51523,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029,4114],"tags":[14636,20795],"coauthors":[20608],"class_list":["post-51491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","category-news","tag-coronavirus","tag-respiratory-illness","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sinus infection or COVID: Compare symptoms &amp; treatments<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Some people report that COVID-19 felt like a sinus infection. What&#039;s the difference? 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