Foul Smell, a New Symptom Among Long Covid Patients

Ever since the onset of the novel coronavirus, patients have reported loss of smell to be one of the most common symptoms. Currently, more and more reports are highlighting patients smelling foul odours even when there are no odors. This heightened sense of smell is being considered as a symptom of long Covid.

Loss of smell, medically referred to as Parosmia, is a common symptom of COVID-19. A study was conducted by researchers at UCL and UCLH to identify the most reliable indicator of COVID-19. The key findings of the study addressed acute loss of smell and/or taste to be the most common indicator of the novel coronavirus. At present, many patients are experiencing stale smells, fish and burning toast being the most unbearable odors in place of normal smells.

According to the doctors, people with Covid-19 lose their sense of smell because the virus damages their receptor nerve endings or supporting cells within the nose. When damaged or healed incorrectly, scent-detecting nerve endings can result in Parosmia.

Loss or reduced ability to smell (anosmia) or taste, without cough or fever is common in Covid-19.

Harvard Medical School researchers identified which types of cells used for smelling are the most vulnerable to COVID-19. The research resulted in identifying sensory neurons that detect and transmit the sense of smell to the brain not being vulnerable to the disease.