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In recent weeks, one symptom of the coronavirus that has been discussed among doctors around the world is the loss of the ability to smell and taste.
Those infected with the coronavirus were found to experience anosmia (loss of the ability to smell) and dysgeusia (loss of the ability to taste) especially in the early days when the body was newly infected with the virus.
These two symptoms are also a sign that the patient should start quarantining themselves before the symptoms develop into a cough or fever.
So, should we be concerned if our ability to smell and taste is reduced or lost?
What are Anosmia and Dysgeusia?
Anosmia is a condition where a person loses the ability to smell or inhale aromas, affecting many things including the ability to taste food.
Anosmia can also put the sufferer in dangerous situations as they may not realize that there is a smell of leaking gas, or want to drink milk that is actually stale and has a strong odor.”[3]
Anosmia is also strongly linked to the ability of the sense of taste. This is because the tongue can taste by combining the sensory abilities to taste and smell food.
Therefore, anosmia usually occurs along with dysgeusia or loss of the tongue’s ability to taste flavors.
There are various causes of anosmia, including colds, nasal congestion, sinus infections, poor air quality, exposure to toxic chemicals, or viral infections.
Is it true that anosmia and dysgeusia are the first symptoms of COVID-19 infection?
As a new coronavirus, doctors are discovering many new things as the number of people infected with the virus grows.
Recently, Dr. Nirmal Kumar, president of the British ENT specialist association (ENTUK) received a report that there are around 500 COVID-10 patients who have lost their sense of smell.
Not only in the UK, South Korea also found 30% of COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms had anosmia. Cases of anosmia in Covid-19 patients were also found in China, the United States, Iran, Italy, and Germany.”[4]
Until now, there has been no specific research linking COVID-19 directly to anosmia, but according to a release from ENTUK, of all adult cases who experience anosmia, 40% are caused by the virus.
Viruses that trigger the flu are often thought to be the cause of anosmia, and more than 200 different viruses are known to trigger upper respiratory infections as well.
As many as 10-15% of anosmia cases are also caused by various previous coronaviruses before SARS-CoV-2, so it is not surprising that COVID-19 is also the cause of anosmia and dysgeusia in those infected.”[5]
Although supported by data and facts from previous coronaviruses, scientists consider it too early to assess the real relationship between the two.
According to Dr. Thomas Hummel, doctor and researcher at the Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Technical University of Dresden Medical School in Germany, there are also many people who lose their ability to smell and taste, but it is not related to the virus. [6]
Therefore, more data is still needed. Once there is more complete data, we can find out more about the percentage of COVID-19 patients who experience anosmia and dysgeusia, and when these symptoms appear, how severe they are over time, and when they can disappear.
If future research proves that there is a correlation between COVID-19 and anosmia and dysgeusia, then these symptoms could guide doctors treating COVID-19.
So, if you feel that your ability to smell and taste is diminishing, there is no need to panic. It is possible that your anosmia and dysgeusia are caused by the common cold virus, and not the Coronavirus.
Corona Virus Symptoms that We Need to Watch Out for
Anosmia and dysgeusia alone are not enough to detect whether someone is affected by Coronavirus or not. However, we need to be vigilant if these two symptoms are also accompanied by other Coronavirus symptoms.
There are various symptoms of COVID-19 that are reported to occur in sufferers. However, common symptoms include fever, fatigue, and dry cough.
Some patients also experience shortness of breath, sore throat, aches, and muscle and joint pain. A minority report symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, or nasal congestion.
It is also not uncommon for people to be infected but not feel any symptoms (asymptomatic).
As many as 80% of people infected with the coronavirus do not need to be hospitalized and are only asked to isolate themselves at home until their test results turn negative.
However, for those who are over 60 years old and/or have inherited diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases, there is a greater risk of suffering from more severe symptoms and even death.”[2]
Monitor the development of the pandemic situation in Indonesia through the official website of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.