Allergies, unlike coronavirus, do not cause a fever and seldom shortness of breath. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. . For some people, symptoms can last weeks or months after the acute infection has resolved. Omicron symptoms mimic other SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms They include: Cough Shortness of breath Stuffy nose/nasal congestion Runny nose Sore throat Headache Fatigue Muscle aches and pain (myalgia) Chills Fever Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea or diarrhea 2. Having quickly become the primary strain in new COVID-19 cases currently in the United States, a virus variant known as XBB.1.5 called the ".css-1me6ynq{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;}Kraken" by some in the healthcare field is likely spreading among Americans due to misleading symptoms that may be dismissed as seasonal illness. Put petroleum jelly in the nose if it becomes irritated. Colds are more likely to respond to decongestants, acetaminophen, fluids, and rest.. Consult with an allergist to help you determine the best option. Diarrhea. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Klopfenstein T, et al. Do Some People Experience an Unusual Smell After Recovering from COVID-19? Sore throat Headache Fatigue The presence of other symptoms may be what helps you sort one from the other. (2020). Sneezing. Its worth noting, however, that the 2020-21 flu season was unusually mild, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Thats why a good rule of thumb is, when in doubt, you may want to consider getting tested for COVID-19. FDA Panel Recommends Approval of First RSV Vaccine: What to Know, CDC Says Flu Shot Was Effective for Many Adults and Most Kids: What to Know, COVID-19 Pandemic: A 3-Year Retrospective on Masks, Vaccines, and Immunity, Norovirus: Why Cases are on The Rise and How to Avoid It, Can Bird Flu Infect People? Experts Answer Questions About the Outbreak, Marburg Virus Outbreak: What to Know About the Signs and Symptoms, at least 10 days from the time symptoms onset, once you go at least 24 hours with no fever and without taking fever-reducing medication, until your other symptoms show improvement, lips, nail beds, or skin that appears pale, gray, or blue. No difficulty breathing. SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) These days, a scratchy throat or a plugged up sinus can be a . And during the coronavirus pandemic, those average winter symptoms feel even more alarming. More research is needed to verify these findings. Digestive symptoms, like stomach pain, might be among the earliest symptoms of COVID-19 that you experience. There are many symptoms of cold, flu, and COVID-19 that are similar, and it may be difficult to distinguish, said Ramzi Yacoub, PharmD, chief pharmacy officer of the prescription savings service SingleCare. 5. Inflammation is a defensive process our immune system uses to fight off COVID. In particular, symptoms like fever, body aches, loss of taste and smell, and gastrointestinal symptoms are usually only seen with COVID-19, and not with allergies. Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, can cause a sore throat with no fever. Symptom prevalence, duration, and risk of hospital admission in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 during periods of omicron and delta variant dominance: a prospective observational study from the ZOE COVID Study. Many conditions besides COVID-19 can also cause dry nasal passages. Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. Monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention if they become severe. Weisenberg seconds that: The main difference between the vaccinated and boosted and the unvaccinated is that the risk of severe disease is much higher in the unvaccinated.. Some research indicates that a sore throat seems to occur in about 12 to 14 percent of people with. dry cough. 'Post-COVID Syndrome' Is Causing Lingering Symptoms in Some COVID-19 Symptoms of the Delta variant include stomach pain, sore throat, headache, stuffy nose, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, joint pain and hearing loss. A 2020 review of studies found that 4.1 percent of people in a group of 1,773 people with COVID-19 experienced a stuffy nose. The same is true for pharyngitis. Severe symptoms of COVID-19 that require immediate medical attention include: Bluish lips or face indicates a shortage of oxygen in the bloodstream. People who have any flu- or cold-like symptoms should assume they have COVID-19 until proven otherwise, said Chicagos Department of Public Health commissioner,Allison Arwady, MD, in a Facebook Live interview in January 2022. It's important to note CDC officials haven't named any particular group of symptoms as being directly associated with the XBB.1.5 variant like other variants before it, any combination or severity of common COVID-19 symptoms is possible in new infections. Heather M. Jones is a freelance writer with a strong focus on health, parenting, disability, and continuing to wash your hands and practice good health hygiene. Immunization experts are worried, however, that a mild COVID-19 case may not be the reality for all Americans; there's some concern that each breakthrough case may increase risks of long COVID and its most prominent symptoms, including brain fog. Covid test is negative. If your first test is positive, theres no need to take another test; assume the result is correct and that you have COVID-19. Also, visit our coronavirus hub for more information on how to prepare, advice on prevention and treatment, and expert recommendations. Recovering from COVID-19 at home can be overwhelming. Your tonsils and other tissues in your throat may swell up, leading to discomfort. These can include: The presence of other symptoms may be what helps you sort one from the other. Constantly clearing your throat? Here's what to try However, allergy medicine is not recommended for COVID-19, as viral symptoms do not generally respond to allergy medication. New loss of taste or smell. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It could be very difficult for a patient to tell the difference between COVID-19 and an exacerbation of their asthma or COPD due to causes other than the SARS-CoV-2 virus, she said. Sore throat, would like to speak to a doctor. Started 3 days From winter allergies to dry air, these are the differences between a seasonal problem and the coronavirus. The Marburg virus disease is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever," according to the CDC. But were also seeing surges in COVID-19 all over the country, so theres a greater chance of getting infected. Temperature fluctuations are not uncommon for long haulers. When to see a doctor about dry nasal passages, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs42399-021-00876-6, aurisnasuslarynx.com/article/S0385-8146(20)30146-2/fulltext, medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.11.18.20233874v1.full, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html, ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.15948, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html. A sinus infection, orsinusitis, occurs when the air-filled pockets in the face, called sinuses, fill up with fluid, inflaming the sinus lining and preventing them from draining. A 2020 study found that a group of 35 people with COVID-19 reported a strange sensation in their nose or excessive nasal dryness significantly more often than people without COVID-19 infection. The Omicron variant, first reported in late November, has raised concerns, but so far cases appear to be relatively mild. The CDC lists 11 primary symptoms of COVID-19: So far, the symptoms of the Omnicron variant appear to closely resemble those of the Delta variant. COVID-19 Treatments: What You Need to Know. Most over-the-counter medicines have not proven to be effective against a cough or sore throat, according to Landon. Do people who recover from COVID-19 have dry nasal passages? COVID-19 aside, throat pain may also be due to the common cold, flu, or strep throat, according to Mayo Clinic. People with the Omicron variant are also more likely to report a sore throat and less likely to report sneezing than people who had the Delta variant. Cough and sore throat also topped the list of most common symptoms in a U.K. national report released on September 30, 2022, with loss of smell, loss of taste, and shortness of breath less prevalent. However, she recommends drinking chamomile or herbal tea and hot water with lemon. What to do if you are sick. If you test positive for COVID-19, it is essential to isolate at home until you are well to avoid spreading the illness. Get adequate rest, fluids, and watch your symptoms closely during that time. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. COVID Can Cause Strange Eye and Ear Symptoms Sinusitis causes more discomfort in the face, congestion, nasal drip, and facial pressure.. There's clear evidence that XBB.1.5 replicates faster than other variants that affected under vaccinated communities earlier in the pandemic; CDC data illustrates that in January alone, infection rates associated with the variant climbed upwards of 8 to 10% per week, a concerning rate. "You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 by symptoms alone because some of the symptoms are the same," the agency shares on its website, advising Americans to immediately get tested to determine if they are infectious to others. If you are concerned, seek medical care right away. Is sneezing a sign of coronavirus? Allergy symptoms tend to vary with the environment: worsening with exposure to dust, pollen, or animal dander, whereas cold symptoms tend to persist regardless of time of day, weather, locality, or other environmental factors, Cutler said. Is it a sinus infection or COVID-19? | OSF HealthCare Sinus Infection vs. COVID-19: What Are the Differences? - Verywell Health This happens because of postnasal drip, or mucus from the nose dropping down the throat and irritating it. "[XBB.1.5] symptoms may include a runny nose, mild cough and a sore throat. If you get COVID-19 now, theres a good chance youll have a sore throat, whether or not youre vaccinated. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Ah, winter a time where we find ourselves constantly asking if were sick or if its just a reaction to the weather and all that comes with it.