Lost Sense of Smell May Be Peculiar Clue to Coronavirus Infection

The loss of sense of smell and taste are now considered unique symptoms of COVID-19 and potential biomarkers of coronavirus infection, reports the New York Times . U.K. ear, nose, and throat doctors on Friday recommended that adults who lose their sense of smell should quarantine themselves for a week, and urged healthcare workers to use personal protective equipment when treating anyone who has lost their sense of smell. They also advised against nonessential sinus endoscopy procedures, as the virus replicates in the nose and the throat and an exam can cause coughs or sneezes that expose the doctor to a high level of possible infection. The British physicians cited reports from other countries indicating that significant numbers of persons with coronavirus experienced anosmia (loss of smell). On Sunday, the American Academy of Otolaryngology posted information online that mounting anecdotal evidence suggests that lost or reduced sense of smell and loss of taste are associated with COVID-19 and have been exhibited in people who ultimately tested positive for the virus with no other symptoms.