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.
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If Owaisi compains for jds and bsp, he will lose the respect what we kannadigas have in him. He is being used by these parties only to divide muslim votes and alternatively support bjp. In case Owaisi did so, it will be very clear that he is hidden agent of bjp. If actually he needs betterment of muslims, he should keep away from Karnakataka elections. |this is our sincere advice to Mr. Owaisi otherwise we will support or respect him any more. Besides this if he comes to karnataka, i reqeust muslims to welcome him by rotten eggs and black flags. Let him understand that this is not Hyderabad. Why is he showing double standard? Why cant he stand in one boat. He should not try to be another Mir Jafar or Mir Qasim. I was a fan of him, but if he comes to karnataka on the hidden agenda of bjp, i will disrespect him for ever and will not consider him as a sympathisers of Muslims. He will do it for his own benefit. In every speech he speaks about unity in Muslims but he himself is going against it. I doubt he will keep on his popularity and may lose next election in his own constituency and AIMIM will also be thrown out. Hope Owaisi will understand the situation and take back his plan to visit karnataka to divide muslim votes.
Mr. Owaisi, try to follow one ideology. Dont spread your leg in two boats at the same time, you may fall down
He only denied the campaign offer before. Now again..
Double Standard guy, we know about you and we know about your dealing With BJP president Amith Shah close door meeting , do not try to fool Kanndaigas , we are very clear whom to vote ...........
Wonder land man from wonderland AIMIM looks not Indian degree, may be United Kingdom Degree after MIMIM this is Masters degree to the wonder Owaisi!!!!! any way he is the Gate way of "Devide and Rule" good money bai sabb, you divide or Sale no problem, we need our comission, he did in Uttarpradesh, Bihar now he came to Karnataka, no worries "Every Dog has its own day Bai sabb" I am sure Kannadians will not listen your stupidity
Jai hoo Siddaramanna
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