How does COVID affect your sense of smell?Doctors explain what the study says

Of all the other mild COVID-19 symptoms (malaise, cough, fever), the most bizarre and prominent one is loss of smell. Anosmia, as it is called, turned out to be a fairly common side effect of COVID. 1 in 6 COVID Loss or change of smell may be the only symptom of COVIDAccording to a study published in Nasal science In June.It is also believed to be behind the rash of people complaining online Their Yankee candles are “no smell”..

“Often during an infection, there may be a temporary loss of taste or odor due to inflammation or swelling of the nasal passages, which will improve within a few weeks after the infection disappears.” Tania Elliott, MD, NYU Langone Health Allergy and Infectious Diseases Doctors talk to Bustle. When infected with severe COVID-19, olfactory loss can be more severe and lasting.Iran’s study published in International Forum on Allergy and Nasal Science It turns out that 59 out of 60 people were hospitalized in April COVID-19 patient had serious odor problems..

COVID does more than just cause odor loss.According to a study published in Nasal science, Some people also experience parosmia, A place where the sense of smell is distorted or somehow impaired months after the initial COVID diagnosis. You may smell strange odors that don’t really exist, like fish and sulfur, or pick up a few odors.

“I got COVID in mid-September,” 42-year-old Jill tells Bustle. “I didn’t taste or smell, but the smell isn’t perfect yet. If that makes sense, it seems to smell only part of the smell. So my beloved Jo Malone Lime, Basil and mandarin perfumes now just smell. It’s like a very expensive plague pot. ”

How long does COVID-related olfactory loss last?

The· British Medical Journal To tell Parosmia and anosmia Both are common side effects of viral illnesses, including COVID, although COVID-related coughs can disappear quickly, Smell problems can last for months..

“More than two-thirds of patients Restores taste and smell within 3 weeks“” Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh MD, An otolaryngologist at the Providence St. John’s Health Center speaks to Bustle.A study of 382 COVID patients who lost odor was published Otorhinolaryngology Journal I found it in may 79% of them recovered significantly in a month. However, long-distance odor loss is undoubtedly not uncommon.In one study published in Medical frontier In November 20% of patients showed no improvement They tended to experience more severe COVID-19 in their ability to smell two months after they were first treated.

If you have parosmia, it may take some time to heal.According to a study by Nasal science During December Forty-three percent of patients reported parosmia after diagnosis. It took about two and a half months for the symptoms to disappear, but some people felt that the smell was strange even after six months.

Why does COVID ruin your sense of smell?

Scientists don’t understand why some people have long-standing COVID-related odor and taste problems. Dr. Kathleen Jordan MD.. , And the doctor Tear HealthTell Bustle that it is unclear if there is any damage to Chemical sensorSpecial cells in the nose and mouth that convert substances such as salt and smoke into signals to the brain. She also says that COVID may have caused permanent problems with neural pathways that help interpret odors. Functional tissue of your brain.. “More research is needed to identify prognosis, reasons, and best interventions.”

If you have a taste or odor problem months after infection, you still don’t know when or when it will go away. “It’s too early to tell if these changes are permanent,” says Dr. Elliott. In general, various olfactory therapies designed for postviral anosmia may be helpful. There are clinical trials currently under development. When exposed to strong odors, it can help those who lose their odor after COVID.. But for now, the best treatment may take longer.

Expert:

Dr. Tania Elliott MD

Dr. Kathleen Jordan MD

Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh MD

Cited studies:

Lechien, JR, Chiesa-Estomba, CM, Beckers, E., Mustin, V., Ducarme, M., Journe, F., Marchant, A., Jouffe, L., Barillari, MR, Cammaroto, G., Circiu , MP, Hans, S. , And Saussez, S. (2021). Prevalence of olfactory dysfunction and 6-month recovery: Multicenter study of 1363 COVID-19 patients. Internal Medicine Journal, 10.1111 / joim.13209. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.13209

Lechien, JR, Journe, F., Hans, S., Chiesa-Estomba, CM, Mustin, V., Beckers, E., Vaira, LA, De Riu, G., Hopkins, C. , & Saussez, S. (2020). The severity of anosmia as an early symptom of COVID-19 infection may predict persistent olfactory loss. Medical frontier, 7, 582802. https: //doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.582802

Hopkins, C. , Sulda, P. , And Kumar, N. (2020). New onset of COVID-19 pandemic Symptoms of anosmia. Nasal science, 58(3), 295-298. https://doi.org/10.4193/Rhin20.116

Hopkins, C. , Sulda, P. , Vila, LA, Retian, JR, Safarian, M. , Southes, S. , And Kumar, N. (2020). COVID-19 6-month follow-up of self-reported olfactory loss during a pandemic. Nasal science, 10.4193 / Rhin20.544. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.4193/Rhin20.544

Hopkins, C. , Sulda, P. , Whitehead, E. et al. (2020) Early recovery after the onset of new anosmia during the COVID-19 pandemic – an observational cohort study. J of Otolaryngol-Head & Neck Surg49, 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-020-00423-8