COVID-19 has dozens, maybe even hundreds, of potential symptoms. Many of them coincide with minor illnesses and can be mistaken for colds, flu or just feeling exhausted. But experts say a symptom is almost definitive for the coronavirus: loss of taste or smell. According to a January 5 study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, 86% of patients with mild cases of COVID-19 experienced a loss of taste and smell. This is parallel to a previous study reported by Scientific American, in which about 80 percent of patients with COVID reported these disorders. “Loss of smell is so common in people with the disease that some researchers recommend its use as a Diagnostic test because it can be a more reliable marker than fever or other symptoms, “said the publication. Keep reading and to ensure your health and the health of others, do not miss these Certain Signs that You Have Had Coronavirus.
Reasons for taste, obscure smell loss
Experts are not sure why this happens, only that it is widespread. Last month, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading infectious disease specialist, said that “the very frequent occurrence of loss of smell and taste, which precedes the onset of respiratory symptoms” was “of particular interest” to researchers .
One theory is that the virus first takes up residence in nasal cells. So far, the research suggests “that the primary attack of the coronavirus is on the nose, on the nasal epithelium, which is the skin-like layer of cells responsible for expressing odors,” said Leo Nissola, MD, last month. “It appears that the virus’s attacks support cells and stem cells in the nose.”
He added: “These cells maintain balance and signal to the brain. In some patients, when infected with COVID, this balance is disrupted and this leads to the switching off of neuronal signaling and therefore of smell.”
In some people, this loss can last. A July CDC study found that loss of taste or smell lasts an average of eight days, but some people experience it for weeks after the initial infection. O Journal of Internal Medicine study found that after two months, 15% of people had not regained their lost senses.
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The safest way to know if you have COVID-19
Loss of taste or smell may indicate that you have the coronavirus. To be sure, take a test – a PCR test is considered the gold standard – or talk to a medical professional. And do everything you can to avoid getting – and spreading – COVID-19 in the first place: Wear a face mask, get tested if you think you have coronavirus, avoid crowds (and bars and parties at home), practice social detachment, perform only essential tasks, wash your hands regularly, disinfect frequently touched surfaces and overcome this pandemic in the healthiest way miss these 35 places you’re most likely to reach COVID.