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New Delhi, November 22
Amid the growing scare of Covid-19 there is light at the end of the tunnel. If true loss of smell and taste occurs along with gastric problems (read diarrhea) when symptoms of Covid-19 begin to appear, having heart as this generally means a good prognosis and no severe respiratory attack that normally occurs in the second week of the 14-day viral cycle.
Observed around the world, the phenomenon has now been documented by Indian health experts – as we enter the 10th month of the Covid-19 pandemic – and according to them, Covid-19 patients who show severe symptoms or end up in intensive care generally do not give a history of true loss of smell or taste.
Those who observe coronavirus-induced loss of smell and taste generally experience an overpowering salty or sweet taste, and the water tastes extremely sweet. If they try the perfume, the alcoholic part dominates the olfactory senses without any fragrance. And it takes 3-4 weeks for the smell or taste or both to return.
According to Dr Arun Lakhanpal, chest physician, interventional pulmonologist and ICU specialist, at Yatharth Hospital in Noida, if true loss of smell and taste occurs in the context of Covid disease, which he is seeing more often now , then indicates a good prognosis.
“It is increasingly noted that people with loss of smell and taste that occurs in about 40 percent of patients is generally a good prognostic sign,” said Dr. Lakhanpal, who and his team have helped thousands of Covid-19 patients recover and return home healthy.
Dr Sushila Kataria, senior director, department of internal medicine, Medanta who is also head of the Covid team at the Gurgaon-based hospital, seconded the observation from Lakhanpal.
“Yes, most of the patients who have lost their sense of smell and taste according to my observation do not contract any serious diseases. They don’t require oxygen support and most of them don’t require hospitalization, ”Kataria told IANS.
“So in a way I feel that the loss of taste and smell is a good sign. And this is a kind of prognostic factor that the patient will not get any further. “
The reason for the loss of smell and taste and diarrhea in Covid disease is not really known.
“Sometimes the taste can go because there is a loss of smell as the two senses are connected. And the cause is said to be the coronavirus which infects the cells around the nerves for smell and taste. This can resolve within a week or even after the patient has become Covid negative, “Lakhanpal explained.
It may take three to four weeks to get your smell and taste back, but reassuringly, the condition is reversible.
Be aware that loss of smell and taste is not unique to the coronavirus.
It can also occur in a number of conditions, such as rhinitis, sinusitis, brain tumors, with some medications, and diarrhea can occur with various chest infections or abdominal infections.
Another observation is that most people who have a loss of smell and taste sensation are young.
“But I’ve also seen few elderly patients complain of this loss of sensation, and it’s usually mild cases. If someone is experiencing a sudden loss of taste and smell, they should isolate themselves. This is invariably Covid and as these patients may be mildly symptomatic themselves but have the potential to spread the infection, ”Kataria advised.
Don’t take these symptoms lightly and isolate yourself, get tested for Covid-19 and follow all infection control practices.
Monitor your temperature with a thermometer in your mouth every four hours and your oxygen levels with the help of a pulse oximeter and see a doctor if there is a fever or a drop in oxygen saturation.
“We are still learning about the coronavirus and are seeing more and more new complications,” Lakhanpal said. – IANS
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