Sneezing Symptoms in COVID Explained

A Deep Dive Into One COVID Symptom

Medically reviewed by Reza Samad, MD

Sneezing can be a symptom of COVID-19. It was originally thought to be a much rarer symptom. It has since become more common with newer COVID-19 variants and in vaccinated people who contract the virus. Even so, the common cold and allergies are a more likely cause of sneezing. Sneezing is also a flu symptom.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, can lead to a respiratory infection that affects the sinuses, throat, lungs, or airways. A person infected with COVID-19 can release aerosol particles and droplets of respiratory fluid that contain the virus and pass the virus on to others. Sneezing, coughing, talking, and singing can produce droplets. 

This article will cover why COVID-19 causes sneezing, conditions that cause similar symptoms, treatments to manage sneezing in COVID-19, reducing spread, testing, and more. 

Sneezing: A Known Symptom of COVID

Sneezing might be an early sign of COVID-19 or indicate a milder disease, especially in vaccinated people. It was initially not considered a COVID-19 symptom, but it is being found increasingly more often with newer virus variants, including Omicron. The World Health Organization (WHO) first identified Omicron in November 2021.

A study reported in 2022 found sneezing was becoming quite common with COVID-19. In that study, researchers found sneezing affected up to 70% of people with the condition. It was the fourth most common symptom linked to Omicron.

People who are vaccinated may experience less severe symptoms of COVID-19. Mild symptoms in vaccinated people may include sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing. Vaccination might also prevent serious illness from COVID-19. This means that if you are infected, you are less likely to become severely ill and experience complications like pneumonia and breathing troubles.

Some people with COVID-19 may experience longer-term symptoms after more severe symptoms of the condition. A runny nose might accompany these. However, sneezing after recovering from COVID-19 is more likely caused by a cold or allergies.

Why the Virus Causes Sneezing

Many symptoms of COVID-19, including sneezing, can occur with other conditions. Any condition that affects the nose and throat can overlap.

Sneezing with any of these conditions results from irritation of the inner membrane linings of the nose and throat. By sneezing, the body is trying to expel irritants that have interacted with the mucous membrane.

Sneezing is not the only symptom of COVID-19. Additional symptoms include:

• Fever and chills

• Cough

• Fatigue

• Loss of taste or smell

• Muscle aches

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Diarrhea

• Shortness of breath or breathing troubles
  

Related: These Are the COVID Symptoms You Should Know This Fall

Sneezing in COVID vs. Cold vs. Flu vs. Allergies

Distinguishing COVID from a cold, flu, or allergies can be difficult if you rely on sneezing alone as a symptom. 

COVID-19, the flu, and colds are caused by different viruses. The SARS-CoV-2 virus causes COVID-19, and rhinoviruses cause the common cold. Influenza viruses cause the flu.

While the viruses spread in some of the same ways, cold symptoms are often less severe than COVID-19. With a cold, you can have a runny nose, congestion, sore throat, and cough. The common cold does not cause aches and pains like COVID-19; you will typically feel better within a few days. Sneezing is considered a typical symptom of the common cold and occurs much less with COVID-19. 

COVID-19 and the flu both cause fever, cough, body aches, and headaches. Both diseases can spread to others even if you are not experiencing symptoms. They are spread by tiny particles from the nose and mouth with sneezing, coughing, and talking.

Allergies can cause sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes or ears. But allergies, unlike COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold, are not contagious. Allergies result when the immune system overreacts after exposure to allergens, including dust, tree and grass pollen, and pet dander.

Ultimately, the only way to know if COVID-19 is the cause of your symptoms is to get tested. If you have symptoms, you should isolate and consider taking a rapid antigen test, which you can buy at a local pharmacy.

If you have severe symptoms or are a high-risk person, contact your healthcare provider to be tested with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, typically administered in a medical setting or pharmacy. If you test positive, your healthcare provider can provide additional treatments.

The following chart compares sneezing and other symptoms for COVID-19, a cold, the flu, and airborne allergies. A caveat is that symptoms may vary for newer COVID-19 strains.

Related: Do I Have a Cold or COVID?

Sneezing in Long COVID

Some people affected by the COVID-19 virus can experience long-term effects of the infection, known as long COVID. These effects are symptoms or conditions that continue long after the infection. Symptoms associated with long COVID include chronic cough, heart palpitations, severe fatigue, sleep problems, and more.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not consider sneezing a symptom of long COVID, and persistent sneezing is more likely linked to allergies.

Treatments to Manage Sneezing With COVID

Treating sneezing associated with COVID-19 involves treating the entire condition and all its symptoms.

If you are experiencing symptoms, including a runny nose, congestion, sore throat, and sneezing, treatments might include:

• Decongestants for clearing a stuffy head or nose

• Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen) to manage pain

• Corticosteroid nasal sprays

• Corticosteroids in pill form
  

• Antiviral treatments if you have severe symptoms or have chronic conditions that might increase your risk for disease complications

Related: COVID-19 Treatments: What You Need to Know

Most people who become sick with COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms and can get better at home. 

You manage mild symptoms at home by doing the following:

• Staying hydrated

• Eating healthy and light foods

• Getting plenty of rest

• Humidifying your air

• Isolating to avoid passing the virus to others 
  

Follow your healthcare provider's advice about caring for yourself and staying home. Ask your healthcare provider about additional treatments if you are over 65 or have a chronic medical condition. If you must leave home, wear a mask to reduce the risk of passing the virus to others. 

Covering Sneezing to Reduce Spread

Covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze can reduce the spread of germs. This is especially important if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms. 

To reduce the spread of germs from sneezing related to respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, the CDC recommends the following measures:

• Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you sneeze.

• If you cannot grab a tissue quickly enough, sneeze into your upper sleeve and not in your hands.

• Move away from others if you have to sneeze.

• Put used tissue in the trash right away.

• After sneezing, wash your hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
  

The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to avoid close contact with others who are sick. If you are sick, you should stay home from work or school to reduce the spread.

When to Get COVID Tested

Guidance for COVID-19 testing comes from the CDC. The guidelines have been updated to align COVID-19 recommendations with other respiratory illnesses. The CDC has focused their recommendations on a timeline based on symptoms, rather than the result of a test:

• If you develop a fever and other symptoms, stay home and away from others until your fever and other symptoms improve for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing drugs

• After 24 hours of being fever-free and improved symptoms, you should continue to take precautions for the next five days

However, if you test positive, you are more likely able to spread the virus, so you may still want to test before a large event or when visiting a high-risk person. Test at least 24 to 48 hours before the event or visit.

High Risk for COVID-19

According to the CDC, high-risk persons have underlying risk factors or medical conditions that would increase their risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Factors and conditions that put you at an elevated risk include older age, being immunocompromised (having a weakened immune system such as from health conditions or medications), and having an underlying health condition like diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure.

Telehealth With COVID Symptoms

Telehealth uses electronic information and telecommunication methods to allow people to get healthcare from their homes. You might consider telehealth if you cannot leave your home due to feeling ill, not wanting to expose others, not having transportation, or for other reasons.

To use telehealth, you need a computer, smartphone, or other smart device with access to the Internet. 

Consider telehealth if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Sneezing on its own is rarely a concern, even if you have tested positive for COVID-19. However, if you feel extraordinarily sick or are at high risk for severe complications, scheduling a telehealth visit with your healthcare provider is a good idea. They can assess symptoms and prescribe additional treatments.

More severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention include:

• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties

• Chest pain or pressure

• Sudden loss of speech or movement

• Severe confusion

• The inability to stay awake or wake up

• Pale, gray, or blue-colored lips, skin, or nail beds
  

Seek immediate medical attention for these severe symptoms. Call 911 or head to your local emergency department.

Summary

Sneezing has become a more common symptom of COVID-19, especially as new variants emerge. It is also common in vaccinated people who experience a milder case of the disease. Regardless of vaccination status or COVID-19 variant, symptoms are generally similar and experienced from mild to severe.

If you experience sneezing with COVID-19, you might also have a runny or stuffy nose. While sneezing has become more common in COVID-19, sneezing can also be related to other health conditions, including the common cold, the flu, and allergies. These conditions can lead to similar symptoms, but sneezing is more common with the cold, flu, or allergies, and persistent sneezing is often related to allergies. 

Respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 can be spread through sneezing. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or sneeze into your elbow to reduce the risk of germs. Afterward, wash your hands or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.

You should get tested for COVID-19 if you are experiencing symptoms, have been around someone who is sick, or before going to a major event or visiting a high-risk person. Call your healthcare provider for severe symptoms or if you are considered high-risk. Call 911 or head to your local emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, or severe confusion.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.