Researchers find a lost sense of smell might be a symptom of coronavirus. While the best-known symptoms are a cough, fever and shortness of breath, researchers say there is evidence from several countries that a sizeable proportion of patients who tested positive had their olfactory sense inhibited.
The British Association of Otorhinolaryngology, which represents ear, nose and throat specialists (ENTs), say asymptomatic patients – ones who do not have a fever or a cough – could instead show a loss of senses.
In a statement they said: ‘Evidence from other countries is that the entry point for the coronavirus is often in the eyes, nose and throat areas.
‘We have also identified a new symptom (loss of sense of smell and taste) that may mean that people without other symptoms but with just the loss of this sense may have to self-isolate – again to reduce the spread of the virus.’
The warning came after two of the association’s consultants tested positive for coronavirus. It is thought the specialists ‘most likely’ became infected in the course of their daily work, from people who did not show any regular symptoms.
The warning came after two of the association’s consultants tested positive for coronavirus. It is thought the specialists ‘most likely’ became infected in the course of their daily work, from people who did not show any regular symptoms
Under current guidelines, Public Health England say anyone experiencing a high temperature or continuous cough should self-isolate to stop the spread of the novel disease. But one of the country’s leading ENTs, Professor Nirmal Kumar, said young people may be more prone to the new symptoms.
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He told Sky News: ‘In young patients, they do not have any significant symptoms such as the cough and fever, but they may have just the loss of sense of smell and taste, which suggests that these viruses are lodging in the nose.’
Health minister Nadine Dorries – the first MP to test positive for Covid-19 earlier this month – reported loosing her sense of taste and smell.
Another patient in New Jersey described his symptoms as similar to a ‘really bad flu’, adding he had ‘no sense of taste and no sense of smell’.
Describing the condition he told the Jersey Evening Post: ‘I was really receptive to heat and if the temperature dropped I would start to feel cold very quickly. I had no sense of taste and no sense of smell – which was weird as I have never had that before – and I felt dizzy and everything seemed a bit hazy for a few days.’
Clinical lecturer at King’s College London, Dr Nathalie MacDermott, said a loss of smell and taste is common in infections that normally occur through the ‘nose or the back of the throat’. However, she cautioned that research around the new symptoms for Covid-19 isn’t widespread in the medical community
ENTs have requested full personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline staff that examine patients up close. At present, it is only available to doctors dealing with Covid-19 patients who present as emergencies. A total of 233 people have died of coronavirus in the UK, a jump of 56 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Today, NHS England confirmed it had struck a deal with private hospitals which will allow thousands more beds, ventilators and extra healthcare staff to be available from next week. One hospital in London was forced to declare a critical incident yesterday after it ran out of intensive care beds.
A senior trust director described the situation as ‘f***ing petrifying’ and warned that several hospitals in outer London were reaching full capacity. It is hoped the deal, which includes 8,000 more hospital beds and nearly 20,000 staff, can prevent the catastrophic overcapacity facing even the most advanced hospitals in Italy, which has the highest death toll from Covid-19.
The UK has been warned to ‘get ready’ by doctors at the epicentre of the crisis, who have spoken of ‘fighting a losing war’ against the disease. An A&E consultant has warned the UK’s outbreak could be worse than Italy’s, saying the country’s healthcare system is more advanced in terms of intensive care beds and resources. The south London Doctor, who wanted to remain annonymous, told Sky News it was a matter of days before patients would be spilling onto corridors, saying the only way to control the infection was a ‘strict lockdown’.
Boris Johnson went some way in imposing that yesterday, when he announced the enforced closure of restaurants, pubs, clubs, non-essential shops and leisure centres. NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said they were dealing with an ‘unprecedented global health threat.’ He said health service was doing everything it could to increase resources and capacity, but urged people to stick to social distancing measures.
He said: ‘We all have to play our part to help offset the enormous pressure that our nurses, doctors and other specialists will otherwise face.’
@ The Metro/SkyNews