The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the infection. For example, if you have a sinus infection that is caused by allergies, your doctor may prescribe an allergy medicine. Some common sinus infection treatments include:. According to the CDC, antibiotics are usually not needed for viral sinus infections. Doctors try not to prescribe antibiotics unless they are definitely necessary because the over-prescription of antibiotics contributes to the rise of bacteria that is resistant to these drugs.
However, the Food and Drug Administration FDA can issue emergency use authorizations to allow healthcare providers to use products that are not approved yet to treat COVID if certain legal requirements are met. For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. There are certain things you can do to prevent sinus infections and protect yourself from the COVID virus. Some steps that you can take will help reduce your risk of either condition, but each also has specific precautions that will help lower your risk.
A sinus infection often follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Therefore, preventing a sinus infection often means trying to avoid the illnesses that usually precede it. Getting a flu shot will help protect you from the flu virus, which can cause inflammation in your sinuses and lead to a sinus infection.
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. COVID is a viral infection, which means that many of the same steps that you would take to protect yourself from a cold or the flu such as washing your hands and avoiding people who are sick can help lower your risk of getting the virus.
There are also other precautions that you should take not just to protect yourself from COVID, but to help ensure that you do not spread the virus to other people. COVID precautions include:. COVID and sinus infections both involve the respiratory system. The two conditions can have symptoms that overlap, but some symptoms are more likely to occur in one and not the other. A sinus infection can happen after a viral illness, but can also be caused by allergies. You might need antibiotics for a sinus infection that does not get better on its own with home remedies or over-the-counter medications.
If you have a mild case of COVID, you might be able to rest at home and avoid other people until you recover. However, if you develop severe illness, you may need to receive medical care in the hospital.
The only way to know for sure is to see your doctor. 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. A sinus infection sinusitis occurs when the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed. This can happen after you have a cold or from allergies.
The inflammation leads to mucus buildup, which produces congestion and sometimes pain or pressure in your forehead, nose or ears, cheeks, or between your eyes. Some symptoms of COVID overlap with those of a sinus infection, but there are also symptoms that are specific to one or the other. While the symptoms of a sinus infection mostly involve your respiratory system, COVID can cause a range of symptoms that affect other parts of your body such as your gastrointestinal tract.
A sinus infection is caused by inflammation of the sinuses and often follows a cold or allergy flare-up. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Culturing it in a laboratory will reveal which type of bacteria is causing the infection so the right antibiotic can be prescribed. Treat early sinus infection symptoms with rest, hydration and over-the-counter sprays and decongestants.
Then check in with your doctor for a prescription and let him or her know if your condition worsens. Discover how doctors determine whether your sinus infection is viral or bacterial. Learn some practical steps you can take to ease your symptoms.
Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Why Is Your Poop Green? In COVID, loss of smell and taste is almost complete and can also happen even without a runny or stuffy nose.
Most people regain their sense of smell and taste within 28 days. The symptoms of a sinus infection often come on suddenly. Viruses that cause a cold or flu tend to circulate in the fall and winter months. COVID can occur any time of the year. A sinus infection can also occur after exposure to allergens or irritants, such as pollen, pet dander, and cigarette smoke.
If you have allergies or were recently around an irritant, you may be at risk for a sinus infection. Typically, a sinus infection clears up within 2 to 3 weeks.
COVID lasts for about a week or two depending on its severity and your overall health. Among them, people 65 percent reported returning to their usual level of health about 7 days after a positive COVID test. Some people may experience long-haul COVID , a group of symptoms that persist in the weeks and months following an infection. Most sinus infections go away on their own without severe symptoms or complications.
If a sinus infection is caused by bacteria, you may need antibiotics. Older adults and those with certain health conditions are at a higher risk of serious illness. A sinus infection will usually go away on its own and can be treated at home. In rare cases, a sinus infection can spread beyond the sinus cavities and cause lasting symptoms. Turnaround time on a COVID test can vary by testing site, so be sure to ask when you can expect to receive your results.
Plan to stay home until you receive your test result. In most cases, a sinus infection gets better with at-home care, such as:. Mild to moderate COVID symptoms can typically be treated at home using many of the same measures that are used for sinus infections.
These include getting rest, drinking enough fluids, and using OTC medications. Some potential treatments include:.
0コメント