Does COVID Feel Like a Sinus Infection?

Doctors will first check if patients have any of the hallmark symptoms of COVID-19, and will also ask if the patient had any known recent exposure to the virus. 

• If COVID-19 is suspected, a viral test in which a long swab is used to take a sample from the nose or throat is used, which is then sent to a lab for testing to diagnose the illness. Some tests are rapid and results are available within a few hours. Other tests may take several days to receive results. 
• Another test that can determine if a person had a past COVID-19 infection is an antibody test. This test is not helpful in diagnosing current infections because it takes up to 3 weeks following infection for the body to produce antibodies to the virus. When a person has antibodies to COVID-19 they may have some protection against re-infection, however, researchers do not yet know how much protection antibodies provide or for how long any protections might last. 

There is no specific treatment for COVID-19, and supportive care is aimed at relieving symptoms in mild cases. 

Patients with mild illness are usually advised to remain home and self-isolate for 14 days to avoid spreading the virus. Treatments for mild COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Pain relievers 
• Cough suppressants
• Rest
• Adequate fluid intake

Casirivimab/imdevimab (Regen-COV), a monoclonal antibody combination, has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization.

The monoclonal antibody bamlanivimab is temporarily no longer used because it is not effective against the Delta strain of the coronavirus. 
Monoclonal antibodies are not indicated for use in severe cases.

More severe COVID-19 cases may require hospitalization and treatments may include:

• Antiviral therapy with remdesivir 
• Corticosteroids 
• Immunotherapy 
• Antithrombotic therapy: anticoagulants and antiplatelet therapy 
• High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen 
• Ventilation 

Hydroxychloroquine has been touted as a possible treatment, but studies have shown it to be ineffective with a high risk of fatal heart arrhythmias, and it is not recommended. 

Current guidelines neither recommend nor advise against the use of vitamin C, vitamin D, or zinc. Zinc should not be taken in doses above the recommended daily allowance (RDA) due to the risk of toxicity. 

The best way to prevent infection with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is vaccination. 

FDA-Approved COVID Vaccines for Adults & Children

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all eligible individuals be vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19: 

• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 
  • Approved for individuals 16 years and older
  • Emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 12 years and older
  • Emergency use authorization (EUA) for children between the ages of 5 and 11 
    • One-third the dose given to adolescents and adults, and the vaccine is delivered with a smaller needle
  • Requires 2 shots administered 3 weeks apart

COVID Vaccines with Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for Adults

Two additional vaccines have emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for use to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): 

• Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 
  • Emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 18 years and older
  • Requires 2 shots administered 4 weeks apart
• Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)
  • Emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 18 years and older
  • Requires just one injection 

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine are not yet approved for use in children. These vaccines have emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 18 years and older. Moderna has requested full approval for its vaccine and Johnson & Johnson expects to apply for full approval later this year. 

Who Needs COVID Vaccine Booster Shots?

Certain groups of people who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18 years and older who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18 years and older who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18 years and older who work in high-risk settings
• Age 18 years and older who live in high-risk settings

For people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for individuals 18 years and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.