Loss of odor: when it is a symptom of coronavirus and sometimes of a simple virus

“We already know that loss of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageuzie) are common symptoms in Covid-19. We take care to 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 common colds and flu, but the duration is slightly shorter, 3 to 7 days, unlike Covid-19, where smell and taste are also affected after 8-9 days.

I was talking about connections: when the smell changes, it has been noticed that ageuzia / hypogeusia also accompanies it, especially in viral infections such as colds or flu.

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

It means it’s Covid-19

Fever, muscle weakness / pain, marked fatigue, shortness of breath, dry cough are warning signs for Covid-19. Anosmia and ageutia are common, but not mandatory. However, taking into account the prevalence of cases, these symptoms are strongly suggestive and require a test, isolation up to the test, careful observation of the complete picture.

Why does the smell and taste disappear?

There are several theories here and nothing is known for sure. It was thought that SARS-Cov-2 would affect cells with ACE-2 receptors (the abbreviation derives from the enzyme angiotensin convertase type 2) related to the sensory apparatus, because it is known to corrupt cells and enter them 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 near sensory neurons and the inflammation produced disrupts the functioning of these neurons. As I said, nothing is certain yet. The third included the TMPRSS2 gene, thought to play an important role in allowing the virus to enter cells. However, this gene was not found on neurons either, but 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 that of taste of 38.2%. A study in Europe, published in PubMed, showed that these symptoms last an average of 8-9 days and for 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 various foods or 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 smoke, 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 cannot smell and / or taste, we corroborate it with other symptoms, with potential contacts in recent days with people declared positive. We ask for tests, isolation.

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