How can we tell whether loss of smell during a runny nose is caused by a cold or coronavirus? How soon does taste return after COVID-19? Can hearing damage result from SARS-CoV-2 infection? Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński answers these and other questions on ‘Puls Medycyny’.
According to various reports, loss of smell and taste is one of the first symptoms of coronavirus infection and sometimes its only symptom. It is estimated to occur in 50–88 per cent of cases caused by SARS-CoV-2.
‘This is an extremely important symptom to notice if it occurs. It most often involves a complete loss of smell and taste. For example, even if we taste vinegar or bite into a peppercorn, we will not taste them,’ explains Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński.
Sometimes, however, taste loss can be selective. What does this mean?
‘To my knowledge, selective loss of taste occurs in 30–40 per cent of infections and does not develop into complete taste loss. A person may have a bitter taste in their mouth; sometimes patients perceive a salty taste,’ says Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński.
He adds that senses lost or dulled by coronavirus infection sometimes return after a few days or weeks, but recovery may also take several months.
Some patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 also report poorer hearing. This is caused by fluid appearing in the middle ear, most probably because the Eustachian tubes are obstructed. This can occur in symptomatic coronavirus infection.
‘One publication states that hearing loss may result from coronavirus infection in 4–8 per cent of cases. My personal impression is that it occurs more frequently in people with COVID-19, but other symptoms and disturbances attract more attention and patients are more alert to them. The greatest concern is whether the deterioration in hearing following SARS-CoV-2 infection will progress over time,’ says Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński.
Fever, cough, breathlessness and loss of smell and taste are typical COVID-19 symptoms, but not the only ones. A runny nose also often accompanies coronavirus infection. Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński notes, however, that rhinitis may have a completely different cause, such as allergy or an ordinary cold. What should we do when it occurs?
‘First, if we do not have allergies and a runny nose appears suddenly, we should notice whether it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as chest discomfort or coughing. It may be the beginning of an infection. Pay attention to how the senses function. A runny nose itself very often reduces the sense of smell. How can we distinguish coronavirus infection? In that case, smell disappears completely; with a runny nose it is merely reduced. Thus, complete loss of smell despite only mild rhinitis, disproportionate to the nasal symptoms, suggests SARS-CoV-2 infection,’ explains Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński.
Photo: pulsmedycyny.pl.