Persistent Smell Loss Following Undetectable SARS-CoV-2.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
; 163(5): 923-925, 2020 11.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32513065
ABSTRACT
The association of smell and taste loss with COVID-19 has been well demonstrated with high prevalence rates. In certain cases, chemosensory loss may be the only symptom of COVID-19 and may linger while other symptoms have resolved. The significance of persistent smell and taste loss and its relationship to ongoing viral shedding has yet to be investigated. In this cross-sectional study, of the 316 laboratory test-confirmed COVID-19 cases at our institution, 46 had subsequent test-based confirmation of viral clearance with 2 consecutive negative RT-PCR test results (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction). Olfactory dysfunction was reported by 50% of the patients (23 of 46), with 78% (18 of 23) having subjective persistent smell loss despite negative RT-PCR test results. These preliminary data demonstrate the persistence of self-reported smell loss despite otherwise clinical resolution and undetectable nasal viral RNA.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Smell
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Betacoronavirus
/
Olfaction Disorders
Type of study:
Incidence_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
Journal subject:
OTORRINOLARINGOLOGIA
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States