In March, before Delta was detected and vaccines were widely available, 60% of UK adults ages 16 to 65 on the Zoe app reported loss of smell at some point in their illness. "A lot of this is probably magnifying these symptoms under a microscope instead of clear changes," he says. Is it a cold or sinus infection? And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. diarrhea. Still, doctors have noticed a clear gradient of symptoms based on a person's vaccination status. The Anosmia/smell dysfunction returned and Im maybe even seeing this smell loss LAST LONGER than the original COVID variants. If you have respiratory symptoms, its best to talk to your doctor. When they become blocked and filled with fluid, bacteria can grow there and cause. ", 3 COVID is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Culturing it in a laboratory will reveal which type of bacteria is causing the infection so the right antibiotic can be prescribed. A sinus infection can have a range of other symptoms as well, though they mostly involve the respiratory system. But former hallmarks of COVID-19 such as fevers, coughs, and loss of taste or smell had dwindled. COVID-19 often causes sinus and upper respiratory symptoms such as loss of smell, congestion, and a severe headache. ", Read the original article on Business Insider, Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram/Getty Images, Jessica Christian/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images, Patrick Pleul/Picture Alliance/Getty Images. You may be a good candidate for allergy shots, which can lessen the way your body reacts to allergens over time. How to Tell If Its Allergy or Infection. Discover how doctors determine whether your sinus infection is viral or bacterial. Youll need to take the full prescription, even if you start feeling better within a day or two. "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. But never had any serious fever beyond 100 and O2 levels were rock solid. Also, the more stressed you are, the more likely you may experience more severe symptoms or a longer duration of illness. COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. <