Perspectives

Presentation with Anosmia and Ageusia: Possible Hidden Carriers of COVID-19

Authors: Elham Iran-Pour, MD, Amir Ali Tavabi, MD, Ali Seifi, MD

Abstract

Postviral olfactory loss is the second leading cause of loss of sense of smell (anosmia), accounting for up to 40% of adult cases,1 mostly middle-aged or older women.2 Influenza or common cold viruses, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), account for 12% (10%–15%) of individuals with anosmia.3
Posted in: Disorders Of The Nose & Paranasal Sinuses1

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, et al. A Novel Welge-Lussen A, Wolfensberger M. Olfactory disorders following upper respiratory tract infections. Adv Otorhinolaryngol. 2006;63:125-132.
2. Jafek BW, Murrow B, Michaels R, et al. Biopsies of human olfactory epithelium. Chem Senses 2002;27:623-628.
3. Eccles R. Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. Lancet Infect Dis 2005;5:718-725.
4. Hill N. COVID-19 (coronavirus) and smell loss. Latest news. https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/covid-19-corona-virus-and-smell-loss-latest-news. Published March 20, 2020.
5. Walker A, Hopkins C, Sadura P. The use of Google Trends to investigate the loss of smell related searches during COVID-19 outbreak. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol April 11, 2020. Epub ahead of print.
6. Hopkins C, Surda P, Kumar N. Presentation of new onset anosmia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rhinology April 1, 2020. Epub ahead of print.
7. Davies M. Loss of Taste and Smell Could Be Signs of COVID-19 in Otherwise Asymptomatic People. https://www.eater.com/2020/3/23/21190937/loss-of-taste-and-smell-emerges-as-symptom-of-coronavirus-covid-19. Published March 23, 2020.
8. Mao L, Jin H, Wang M, et al. Neurologic manifestations of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Wuhan, China. JAMA Neurol April 10, 2020. Epub ahead of print.
9. https://www.faz.net/aktuell/gesellschaft/gesundheit/coronavirus/neue-coronasymptome-entdeckt-virologe-hendrikstreeck-zum-virus-16681450.html. Accessed July 9, 2020.
10. Rabin RC. Lost Sense of Smell May Be Peculiar Clue to Coronavirus Infection. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/22/health/coronavirus-symptoms-smell-taste.html. Published March 22, 2020.
11. Wölfel R, Corman VM, Guggemos W, et al. Clinical presentation and virological assessment of hospitalized cases of coronavirus disease 2019 in a travel-associated transmission cluster. medRxiv March 8, 2020. Epub ahead of print.
12. Lechien JR, Chiesa-Estomba CM, De Siati DR, et al. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions as a clinical presentation of mild-to-moderate forms of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a multicenter European study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol April 6, 2020. Epub ahead of print.
13. Klopfenstein T, Kadiane-Oussou NJ, Toko L, et al. Features of anosmia in COVID-19. Med Mal Infect April 16, 2020. Epub ahead of print.
14. Bagheri SH, Asghari A, Farhadi M, et al. Coincidence of COVID-19 epidemic and olfactory dysfunction outbreak. medRxiv March 2020. Epub ahead of print.
15. Konstantinidis I, Haehner A, Frasnelli J, et al. Post-infectious olfactory dysfunction exhibits a seasonal pattern. Rhinology 2006;44:135-139.
16. Doty R. Handbook of Olfaction and Gustation, 2nd ed. New York:Marcel Dekker;2003.
17. Hummel T. Perspectives in olfactory loss following viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;126:802-803.
18. Hwang C-S. Olfactory neuropathy in severe acute respiratory syndrome: report of a case. Acta Neurol Taiwan 2006;15:26-28.
19. Gane SB, Kelly C, Hopkins C. Isolated sudden onset anosmia in COVID-19 infection. A novel syndrome? Rhinology April 2, 2020. Epub ahead of print.
20. Baig AM, Khaleeq A, Ali U, et al. Evidence of the COVID-19 virus targeting the CNS: tissue distribution, host-virus interaction, and proposed neurotropic mechanisms. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020;11:995-998.
21. Netland J, Meyerholz DK, Moore S, et al. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection causes neuronal death in the absence of encephalitis in mice transgenic for human ACE2. J Virol 2008;82:7264-7275.