San Diego, Apr 15: Several people lost their sense of smell or taste weeks ago globally and are still waiting for it to come back and now, researchers have identified an association between sensory loss and novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection, indicating that loss of smell and taste may be considered as early symptoms of the deadly disease.
Interestingly, the study also found that persons who reported experiencing a sore throat more often tested negative for COVID-19.
The team from University of California-San Diego found high prevalence and unique presentation of certain sensory impairments in patients positive with COVID-19.
Of those who reported a loss of smell and taste, the loss was typically profound, not mild.
"Based on our study, if you have smell and taste loss, you are more than 10 times more likely to have COVID-19 infection than other causes of infection. The most common first sign of a COVID-19 infection remains fever, but fatigue and loss of smell and taste follow as other very common initial symptoms," explained study researcher Carol Yan from UC San Diego.
"We know COVID-19 is an extremely contagious virus. This study supports the need to be aware of smell and taste loss as early signs of COVID-19," Yan added.
For the findings, published in the journal International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology, the research team surveyed 1,480 patients with flu-like symptoms and concerns regarding potential COVID-19 infection who underwent testing at UC San Diego Health from March 3 through March 29, 2020.
Within that total, 102 patients tested positive for the virus and 1,378 tested negatives. The study included responses from 59 COVID-19-positive patients and 203 COVID-19-negative patients.
Encouragingly, the rate of recovery of smell and taste was high and occurred usually within two to four weeks of infection.
"Our study not only showed that the high incidence of smell and taste is specific to COVID-19 infection but we fortunately also found that for the majority of people sensory recovery was generally rapid," said Yan.
"Among the COVID-19 patients with smell loss, more than 70 per cent had reported improvement of smell at the time of the survey and of those who hadn't reported improvement, many had only been diagnosed recently," she added.
Sensory return typically matched the timing of disease recovery.
In an effort to decrease the risk of virus transmission, UC San Diego Health now includes loss of smell and taste as a screening requirement for visitors and staff, as well as a marker for testing patients who may be positive for the virus.
"It is our hope that with these findings other institutions will follow suit and not only list smell and taste loss as a symptom of COVID-19, but use it as a screening measure for the virus across the world," Yan said.
Comments
Kill them whenever they enter your home, there is no punishment for self defense... Judiciary is permit you to kill any person or group if they enter your home forcefully...next time don't give them a chance to escape alive...
BJP has lost its civic sense,how can they rule the country? if they cannot respect senior citizens. Intolerance has reached its peak amongst BJP. Curse of these senior citizens will lead them to their dooms day in sha Allah.They should not forget that human is mortal
BJP is a sore loser
Where is Ibraheem Hussain Udupi
Where is CongRSS ? are Siddanna,Paramesh appa, rammnna ?
COWARDS Since the time of BRITIISH, Either supporting the british against indian independence or attack cowardly 100 X 1 or 3
Animal is animal (do they ask people to worship them or use it to celebration)
Please publish news about BJP MP Statement
Terrorism will not destroy without ending Islam
Let people come to know about elected candidate work progress
Guys election is over, accept the reality and work together for the betterment of poor and downtrodden people. But police do their job and nab those who are responsible for attacking old age persons and destroying their properties....this is really bad...
Really very much condemnable, but how much you reported that , we Hindustanis non believable movement attacking the Woman, totally Criminalizes, Goonda act non bail Black Prison Inside, These BJP,RSS Criminal Goondas so far not attacked women their Plan only make Problem for Looting, the biggest Looters, Thieves are BJP/RSS Goondas and Criminals, looks like now in Karnataka in Siddannas Government they can not do their Criminalize, path were these Criminals ruling.
\\"but one thing Every Dog has its own Day Anna\"
Jia Hindustan."
Acche din
This is a time to ban BJP/RSS terrorist group and kicking them out of the country
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