On its Fake Hunter website, the Polish Press Agency debunked the currently widespread myth that coronavirus testing damages the sense of smell. Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński also comments on these claims.
The World Health Organization has recognised loss of smell or taste as a characteristic symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Studies indicate that as many as half of patients experience it. Meanwhile, information is circulating online, mainly on social media, claiming that loss of smell in people testing positive for COVID-19 results not from infection but from injury during nasal swab collection.
‘According to scientific reports and clinical observations from many countries, loss of taste and smell may be one of the first, and sometimes the only, symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection,’ comments Professor Piotr H. Skarżyński. He explains that an incorrectly taken swab can damage smell, but this is very rare. ‘One basic procedure in diagnosing the virus is collecting a nasal swab, for example for PCR testing. The receptors responsible for smell are in the roof of the nasal cavity. It is very difficult to reach this area when taking a swab, although there is a possibility,’ he explains. ‘An incorrectly collected swab can cause a usually short-term reduction in smell. In my view, this is very rare,’ he adds.
In his opinion, the patient’s anatomy should be assessed before swab collection to minimise the risk.
‘Procedures should include a preliminary assessment of whether the person has a deviated nasal septum and whether conditions for taking a swab are appropriate. This already happens in many hospitals, including dedicated COVID hospitals. People with a deviated septum, chronic rhinosinusitis or any other problems should report them beforehand, and these should be taken into account when collecting the swab,’ emphasises Prof. Skarżyński.
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