Can COVID affect your sinuses?

COVID-19 is a disease that can cause what doctors call a respiratory tract infection. It can affect your upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs).

What is the difference between a sinus infection and a COVID-19 infection?

People with COVID-19 and viral sinus infections may share similar symptoms, like congestion, sore throat, or cough. COVID-19 is much more serious than a sinus infection, though, and can be deadly. Both types of infections can be prevented through social distancing, masking, and frequent handwashing. If you have any symptoms that could be due to COVID-19, don’t try to self-diagnose. The best course of action is to get a test and self-isolate until you get a result.

Is there a way to determine if you have sinusitis or COVID-19?

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. COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough and shortness of breath.

How long do lingering symptoms last after COVID-19?

Symptoms. People with post-COVID conditions (or long COVID) may experience many symptoms. People with post-COVID conditions can have a wide range of symptoms that can last more than four weeks or even months after infection. Sometimes the symptoms can even go away or come back again.

What are the symptoms of the COVID-19?

Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Common symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.

What Coronavirus Symptoms Look Like, Day By Day

What do I do if I have mild symptoms of COVID-19?

If you have milder symptoms like a fever, shortness of breath, or coughing: Stay home unless you need medical care. If you do need to go in, call your doctor or hospital first for guidance. Tell your doctor about your illness.

How long does it take for COVID-19 symptoms to start showing?

People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. If you have fever, cough, or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.

Is it normal for COVID-19 symptoms to last more than 10 days?

People with post-COVID conditions can have a wide range of symptoms that can last more than four weeks or even months after infection. Sometimes the symptoms can even go away or come back again.

How long does it take to recover from COVID-19?

Fortunately, people who have mild to moderate symptoms typically recover in a few days or weeks.

What are Post-COVID conditions or Long COVID?

Post-COVID conditions (PCC, or Long COVID) are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

What type headache do you get with COVID-19?

It is presenting mostly as a whole-head, severe-pressure pain. It's different than migraine, which by definition is unilateral throbbing with sensitivity to light or sound, or nausea. COVID headaches present more as a whole-head pressure.

Is an earache a symptom of COVID-19?

Earaches and the Delta variant of COVID-19 Earache is a common symptom of respiratory infections because of the connection between the nasal passages and the ears. Because of this, it's possible to have an upper respiratory infection, like COVID-19, and a sinus infection at the same time.

Is a persistent headache a symptom of COVID-19?

Indeed, an increasing number of reports describe migraine and tension-type headache associated with COVID-19 [2]. However, the SARS-CoV-2 infection has also been associated with a persistent headache with bilateral and/or holocranial localization, with painful pressing quality and moderate-severe intensity [2].

Can I have COVID-19 if I have fever?

If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.

Is it possible to have COVID-19 without a fever?

Yes. A fever is one of the common symptoms of COVID-19, but you can be infected with the coronavirus and have a cough or other symptoms with no fever, or a very low-grade one — especially in the first few days. Keep in mind that it is also possible to have the coronavirus with minimal symptoms or even no symptoms at all. People infected with the coronavirus who have no symptoms can still spread the virus to others.

Should I take a decongestant if I have COVID-19?

Over-the-counter cold medications will not make COVID-19 go away faster, but they can help if you're coughing, have a sore throat, or have nasal congestion (a stuffy nose). Do not use a decongestant if you have high blood pressure.

How long does it take to develop immunity after a COVID-19 infection?

Although the immune correlates of protection are not fully understood, evidence indicates that antibody development following infection likely confers some degree of immunity from subsequent infection for at least 6 months.

How long do body aches and muscle pains last from COVID-19?

Body aches or muscle pains may be an early symptom of COVID-19, often appearing at the very start of the illness and lasting for an average of 2-3 days. Unfortunately, COVID-19 body aches can sometimes last much longer and are commonly reported in people with long COVID-19 or post COVID-19 syndrome.

Why is getting plenty of rest important for COVID-19 patients?

While fighting a new virus, expect your body to be busy. By giving yourself plenty of time to rest, you'll help provide your body with the energy it needs to get the job done.

How long does headache last in COVID-19 patients?

In some patients, the severe headache of COVID-19 only lasts a few days, while in others, it can last up to months. It is presenting mostly as a whole-head, severe-pressure pain. It's different than migraine, which by definition is unilateral throbbing with sensitivity to light or sound, or nausea.

Can you recover at home if you have a mild case of COVID-19?

Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home.

Should I go to the hospital if I have mild COVID-19 symptoms?

Mild COVID-19 cases still can make you feel lousy. But you should be able to rest at home and recover fully without a trip to the hospital.

Should you take cold medications if you have COVID-19 without symptoms?

If you have COVID-19 but don't have symptoms, don't take cold medications, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve®). These medications may hide the symptoms of COVID-19.

Could headaches or migraines be a symptom of COVID-19?

Headache is a common symptom of COVID-19, and the headaches experienced by some patients may resemble a migraine. While the prevalence of headaches among COVID-19 patients has been estimated to range from 10 to 70% in various reports, it is unclear how many are migraine-like.

What are some of the symptoms of the Omicron COVID-19 variant?

All of the variants, including delta and omicron, cause similar COVID-19 symptoms, including cough, fever and fatigue. There is some evidence that fewer people with omicron lose their taste and smell.