Loss of smell and taste can be a symptom of Covid

Common symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19) that have been known so far include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. There are also reports of unusual symptoms such as diarrhea and sore throat. However, the UK ENT doctors association, ENT UK, recently reported another symptom of COVID-19 that needs to be watched out for, namely loss of smell and taste.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that attacks the respiratory system. Therefore, the symptoms are not far from respiratory problems and reduced sensory abilities. Then, what should you do if you experience loss of smell and taste during the face of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Loss of smell and taste in coronavirus (COVID-19) patients

Reports regarding the new symptoms of the coronavirus were submitted by several ENT doctors from The Royal College of Surgeons, England. In the report, it was stated that loss of smell or anosmia often occurs when a person is infected with the virus.

As many as 40% of cases of anosmia in adults are caused by viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. Based on reports of symptoms experienced by patients in several countries, it turns out that around 10-15% of COVID-19 patients also experience the same condition.

In addition to loss of smell, COVID-19 patients can also experience symptoms in the form of loss of taste or dysgeusia. The severity varies from person to person. There are those whose ability to taste and smell is only reduced, and some are completely lost.

Symptoms of loss of smell have been reported by a number of countries. On a study published in the journal Nature Last February, in South Korea there were around 30% of the 2,000 positive patients with COVID-19 who experienced smell problems.

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Meanwhile in Germany, the University Hospital Bonn survey results showed about 70% of patients complained of loss of smell and taste for several days. Similar cases have also been found in Iran, the United States, France and northern Italy.

According to Dr. Claire Hopkins, president of the British Rhinological Society, needs to be addressed with caution. The reason is, people who experience symptoms of loss of smell are most likely undetected patients who are unconsciously expanding the spread of the coronavirus.

They do not experience common symptoms such as fever, and instead experience impaired sense of smell and taste. Unfortunately, loss of smell and taste has not been recognized as a symptom of COVID-19, so there are many people who do not realize they have the coronavirus.

What should you do if you experience these symptoms?

Until now, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not confirmed that the loss of smell and taste is a symptom of COVID-19. The reason is, these findings still need to be studied further.

The indiscriminate setting of symptoms can also cause anxiety in people who have had anosmia for a long time. In fact, their condition may be caused by allergies, sinus infections, or the growth of nasal polyps.

If all people who experience anosmia are asked to undergo self-quarantine, there will be many cases of coronavirus of this nature false positive . This means that someone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 is considered positive even though the reality is wrong.

Even though it has not been established as a symptom of COVID-19, everyone who feels that they have suddenly lost their smell and taste is still asked to be vigilant. This is even more so if you don't have a history of conditions that cause anosmia, such as:

• Sinuses and polyps in the nose
• Injury to the nose or injury to the nasal nerves
• Routinely take drugs with anosmia side effects
• Exposure to toxic chemicals
• Have had radiation therapy to the head or neck
• Suffering from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and disease multiple sclerosis
• Have hormonal disorders, malnutrition, or are born with congenital defects

If you experience loss of smell and taste, do not show symptoms of COVID-19, but are at risk of contracting COVID-19, you should quarantine yourself for 14 days. You are classified as at risk if you have had close contact with sufferers.

Meanwhile, if you experience loss of smell and taste, but are at low risk and do not show any symptoms, ENT UK recommends self-quarantine for at least seven days.

ENT UK in its report said that this effort was made to prevent transmission from COVID-19 patients who were asymptomatic. Thus, medical personnel will be able to detect new patients and treat patients in care.

During the quarantine period, don't forget to maintain personal hygiene by washing your hands with soap. Limit contact with other people, use masks when sick, and consume more balanced nutritious foods to maintain endurance.