Loss of sense of smell Covid-19

The loss of the sense of smell and taste was recognized as one of the symptoms of corona in the early stages of the pandemic. It is common for viruses to cause loss of smell and taste, but during the coronavirus pandemic, many people suffer from loss of sense of smell and taste.

Studies have since shown that coronavirus infections with milder symptoms were more often associated with loss of the sense of smell than those with severe symptoms.

People may experience a complete loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) or find that some odors are distorted, often making scents smell unpleasant (parosmia).

Most people who experience a loss or change in their sense of smell as a result of the corona make a full recovery in about two weeks. However, there is a small group of people for whom recovery may take several months and possibly more than a year.

Researchers have learned that persistent loss of smell is caused by damage to the olfactory epithelium. The receptors of the olfactory epithelium in the upper part of the nasal cavity recognize inhaled odor molecules. One odorant molecule can activate several odorant receptors. Odor molecules can activate several receptors, and the sense of smell arises from combinations of these activations. The olfactory epithelium and its neurons have the ability to regenerate and thus repair the damage caused by the virus. Unfortunately, the repair or healing process takes time.

There are currently no drugs or medical procedures that can help this repair process. But studies have shown that olfactory training can help people recover and improve their sense of smell.

If your sense of taste or smell has weakened due to the corona virus, we recommend starting smell training according to our instructions.