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.
He was hospitalized on the previous day after he suddenly took ill.
Comments
No words to speak after hearing the sad demise my favorate Mr. P.C.M. Kunhi. I met him last year in the month of April 2015 on my vacation in a programme. He spoke to me and asked about my wishes. Great Educationist, Academist, Philanthropist and wise man.
Helping hand for poor. I was with him in Yenepoya Dental College at Zulekha Complex, Bunder.
May Allah bestow him Jannathul Firdouse and Give him a cool and heavenly life in Barzak.
Aameen Ya Rabbul Aalameen..
Innaa Lillahi Wa Innaa llaihi Raajivoon. May the departed soul rest in peace. May Allah accept all his good deeds and forgive the sins. May Allah bless him with Jannah. May Allah give sabr ( patience ) to the grieved family to bear the loss of their dear one.
Heartfelt condolences.
our deepest condolences to the family members of pc kunhi,
we pray with almighty Allah give patience and strength to the nearest and dearest of all his family members, this is a great loss to all of us, once again we pray for the magfirah of departed soul of kind and soft man. Ameen
to Allah we belong and to Him is our return
our heartfelt condolences to the family members of pc kunhi . may Allah give patience, strength to all his nearest and dearest, the great loss of our family, my deepest condolence to all of them,
we once again pray with almighty for the maghfirah of departed soul of kind and soft man, ameen
Please accept our deepest condolences, \to Allah we belong and to Him is our return\""
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilahi Rajiwoon. Very sad and shocking news. We are with the aggrieved family
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajioon. May Allah grant him jannah. Indeed he was a great motivator. Hope his son Hashir will fulfill dreams of his father.
A great loss to the community and society. He was a role model for many. Despite his ill health he continued to fulfill his responsibilities.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajioun. May Almighty Allah bestow with Jannathul Firdouse. A big loss to entire coastal muslims as well as for Islamic Academy of Education (Yenepoya University).
INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHI RAAJIOON.
The big loss for Muslim Community. He was the Correspondent of Badria College for decades.
May Almighty ALLAH bless him with Jannathul Firdous.
Inna Lillahi Wa inna ilaahi rajioon
The Great Academician, Educationist, Administrator,Philanthropist. the really big loss for the society, we wish him to take rebirth.
RIP, condolences to the family and loved ones.
RIP sir
wanaqalat shaqqana
unbelievable...really really hard to believe
Unbearable loss to the society “RIP”
Inna Lillahi Va Inna Ilaihi Raajivoon...
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajihoon. Allahummghfirlahoo warhamhoo whafu anhoo Yaa Rabbal Aalameen. May Almighty Allah bestow him with the Janathul Firdouse. ameen.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajioun. we pray almighty allah to bless late.prof.p.c.m.kunhi, with his jannathul firdouse, aameen. our heartfelt condolences to the family members of prof.p.c.m.kunhi. may almighty allah give patience, strength and forbearance to all his family members to bear the brunt of bereavement. a soft spoken, well qualified civil engineer, educationist., academician and also an entrepreneur with humility. a very good footballer and a keen sportsman in his heydays. prof.p.c.m.kunhi, is closely known to us for the past 40+years., since his teaching days in krec-surathkal (now-nitk). particularly mangalore muslim community and others have lost a decent gentleman with high esteem. we once again pray with almighty allah for the maghfirah of the departed soul of this noble gentleman, aameen.
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