Lose the most odor in COVID-19 by the third day

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati have shown that loss of olfaction is most likely to occur by day 3 of new viral infections in studies of patients with COVID-19. Most of these patients also experience a loss of taste.

A prospective cross-section telephone survey examined the characteristics and symptoms of 103 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 over 6 weeks at Kantonsspital Aarau in Aarau, Switzerland. Patients were asked how many days they had COVID-19 symptoms and were asked to explain the timing of loss and the severity or loss of sensation. smell Along with other symptoms.

Ahmad Sedaghat, MD, Ph.D., was the lead investigator specializing in otolaryngology head and neck surgery and UC health professionals at least 61% of patients reported having decreased or lost olfaction. Diseases of the nose and sinuses. The average onset of reduction or loss in olfaction was 3.4 days.

Findings are available online in academic journals Otolaryngology-Head and neck surgery. The first author of the study was Marlene Speth, MD of a Swiss hospital.

“The study also found that the severity of anosmia correlated with the exacerbation of other COVID-19 symptoms,” says Sedagat. “When anorexia, also known as loss of olfaction, worsens, patients report worsening shortness of breath, worsening fever and cough.”

“Is it related to the patient?” Sedagato said. “It is important to know the relationship between decreased olfaction and the rest of COVID-19. If some people have decreased olfaction with COVID-19, they may be in the first week of the course of the disease. I see. It’s expected to take another 1-2 weeks. “

Sedahato said Gilead Sciences’ first antiviral drug, lemdecivir, to treat Ebola hemorrhagic fever has shown some promise in treating patients with COVID-19. The US Food and Drug Administration has urgently approved the treatment of severe COVID-19 patients. This is because clinical trials sponsored by the National Institutes of Health have shown that patients take less time to recover when they take lemdecivir compared to placebo.

The availability of antiviral treatments for COVID-19, according to Sedagart, means that it is very important to show prognostic indicators and disease progression in patients.

“Antiviral drugs have historically been most effective when given early in viral infections, and it is hypothesized that the same applies to lemdesibir,” says Sedagat. “Our studies show that decreased olfaction may be an indicator of patients in the early stages of the disease and those who may develop more serious symptoms such as shortness of breath.” As remdesibir becomes more widely available, therefore, decreased olfaction may identify patients who are good candidates for medication. “

Sedagat warns that odor loss is a COVID-19 indicator, but not the only factor. “When you start to experience shortness of breath and serious symptoms of COVID-19 Breathing difficulty“It’s time you should be afraid,” he adds.

The study also found that young patients and women who participated in the study were more likely to experience a reduction in anolfaction, says Sedagat.

Approximately 50% of the study patients experienced nasal congestion and 35% experienced runny nose. Previous studies have shown that these nasal symptoms are rare in COVID-19 and that these symptoms are due to an allergy rather than the novel coronavirus, so Sedagat says this is important. ..

“This means that we need to be more aware of the nasal symptoms of COVID-19. Don’t think this is just an allergy, as people aren’t sneezing around in the public. Sedagat says. “It’s very likely COVID-19, and it’s a good idea to wear a mask as a protector for others you encounter.”

From a public health perspective, Sedagart said it is important to have a better understanding of odors and loss of COVID-19.

“No one will die for the loss of Smell and it is Symptom “But it’s important because it helps us identify these COVID-19 patients as asymptomatic carriers and prevent them from spreading the disease to others. It is possible to identify them early in the disease in order to maximize the ability to initiate the drug and ultimately effectively treat these patients. ”