when it is a symptom of coronavirus and sometimes a simple virus

“We already know that loss of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageuzia) are common symptoms of Covid-19. Let’s go slow, learn more.

Do these symptoms only occur in Covid-19?

There’s no way. Taste and smell are senses with intimate relationships between them. They are often affected by colds and flu, but the duration is slightly shorter, 3-7 days, unlike Covid-19, where the smell and taste are affected even after 8-9 days.

We were talking about connections: when the smell changes, the age / hypogeosis that accompanies it was observed, especially in viral infections such as the common cold or the flu.

Disturbances of taste and smell can also occur in sinusitis, polyposis, smoking, allergies, post-radiotherapy and many other situations.

It means it’s Covid-19

Fever, muscle weakness / pain, marked fatigue, difficulty breathing, dry cough are warning signs of Covid-19. Anosmia and ageutia are common, but not mandatory. However, given the prevalence of cases, these symptoms are highly suggestive and require testing, isolation to testing, careful observation of the complete image.

Why does the smell and taste disappear?

There are several theories here and nothing is known for sure. SARS-Cov-2 was thought to affect cells with ACE-2 receptors (short for angiotensin convertase type 2) related to sensory devices because they are known to corrupt and enter cells using these receptors. However, the researchers did not find ACE-2 receptors in nerve cells. The second hypothesis was continuity: SARS-Cov-2 affects cells close to sensory neurons and the inflammation produced disrupts the functioning of these neurons. As I said, nothing is yet certain. The third included the TMPRSS2 gene, which is thought to play an important role in allowing the virus to enter cells. However, this gene was not found in neurons either, only in supporting cells, just like ACE-2 receptors.

How common are these symptoms and how long do they last?

The Mayo ** Clinic checked the results of several studies and found an average loss of smell of 41% and a loss of taste of 38.2%. A study conducted in Europe, published in PubMed, showed that these symptoms last an average of 8-9 days and that 98% of infected people disappear completely in 28 days.

How do we test our smell and taste?

It is relatively simple. For the sense of smell we use food or various objects, such as scented candles. For taste, we test with the main flavors and use salty, sweet, sour, bitter foods. Depending on other conditions, the presence of tobacco, taste or smell can be affected to varying degrees. Do not confuse anosmia and aging with hyposmia and hypogeusia. A- means without and hypo- means less If we do not smell and / or taste at all, we corroborate with other symptoms, with the potential contacts of the last few days with positive people. We ask for insulation tests.

All the symptoms presented, especially fever, cough, shortness of breath, myalgia (muscle pain) should remind you of Covid-19 and take the necessary measures. Don’t necessarily wait for anosmia and age to appear. There are many cases in which they do not appear “, writes Dr. Vasi Rădulescu on a social network.