Source: New York Post
Just when we thought we knew all of the symptoms of coronavirus – cough, fever, tiredness, aches and difficulty breathing – one that seems to have slipped under the radar shows up.
Rudy Gobert, NBA player for the Utah Jazz tested positive earlier this month and tweeted yesterday that he’d been experiencing loss of smell and taste. It turned out that he was far from alone with these symptoms.
Reports from multiple countries have shown that there seems to be a significant link between anosmia, the loss of sense of smell, and COVID-19. Another potential symptom is hypogeusia, an accompanied diminished sense of taste.
There’s strong evidence from South Korea, China and Italy that significant numbers of patients with proven COVID-19 infection have developed anosmia. In Germany it’s been reported that more than 2 in 3 confirmed cases have anosmia. In South Korea, where testing has been more widespread, 30% of patients testing positive have had anosmia as their major presenting symptom in milder cases.
There’s more about it here.
The lack of other recognized symptoms in many of these cases means that those experiencing this are less likely to be tested and isolated. They could be unknowingly increasing the spread of the virus worldwide. Many of these are younger people who might be less than vigilant about taking recommended social distancing protocol in the first place.
My hope is that now that the link between anosmia and COVID-19 is finally making headlines, people suffering from anosmia, even with no other symptoms, will make the connection and get tested/self-isolate.
I first heard about anosmia at a perfume workshop several years ago. Losing the sense of smell must have a profound effect on someone’s quality of life and I’d imagine it often leads to depression. From what I’ve learned, there isn’t currently a cure for anosmia and it can be temporary or permanent.
I’m assuming this type of anosmia is temporary since it’s a symptom of the illness caused by COVIS-19. Assuming one recovers from the virus, it will soon be just a bad memory.
On a personal note, I’ve been hanging in there and taking it a day at a time. I find that taking long walks on the beach or in my neighborhood has been helpful. I came across these heartwarming messages on the sidewalk near my home yesterday.
Ordering take-out from local restaurants is one way we’re trying to help. COVID-19 has impacted them in ways no one could have imagined and they are struggling to stay in business.
Via Maestra 42, a neighborhood gem
We’ve all been deeply affected by what’s going on in the world right now. It’s easy to buy into the panic but that just feeds the fear. Now is the time to find our inner strength, well-being and power and send this same love and well-being out into the world. We can shift all of this negative energy and empower each other. We can turn this around and see all of the good that can manifest from it.
A good friend from New York just shared something that a local principal recently sent to his staff. It really resonated with me and is worth sharing.
“And, what if…”
If we subscribe to the philosophy that life is always working out for us, that there is an intelligence far greater than humans at work…
That all is interconnected.
What if…the virus is here to help us?
To reset. To remember.
What is truly important.
Reconnecting with family and community.
Reducing travel so that the environment, the skies, the air, our lungs all get a break.
Parts of China are seeing blue sky and air for the first time in forever with the factories being shut down.
Working from home rather than commuting to work (less pollution, more personal time).
Reconnecting with family as there is more time at home.
An invitation to turn inwards – a deep meditation – rather than the usual extraverted going out to self-soothe.
To reconnect with self – “What is really important to me?”
A reset economically.
The working poor. The lack of healthcare access for over 30 million in the US. The need for paid sick leave.
How hard does one need to work to be able to live, to have a life outside of work?
And washing our hands – how did that become a “new” thing that we need to remember. But, yes, we did.
The presence of Grace for all.
There is a shift underway in our society – what if it is one that is favorable for us?
What if this virus is an ally in our evolution?
In our remembrance of what it means to be connected, humane, living a simpler life, to be less impactful/more kind to our environment.
An offering from my heart this morning. Offered as another perspective. Another way of relating to this virus, this unfolding, this evolution.
It was time for a change, we all knew that.
And, change has arrived.
What if…
Another unexpected twist to an ever unwinding story…although it’s so sad to see your favourite players go down with the very bad epidemic….it take a lot of heart to swallow all this…..the fact that after some days you begin to lose your ability to smell and tastes makes it worse god help us…
David,
It would be challenging. What I’ve read today is that in most cases it’s relatively short-term and the sense of smell return in a matter of weeks.
Stay well!
Erica
As someone with very bad seasonal allergies, I know how terrible the loss of smell and taste can be. But that note from the principal to his staff… that’s something everyone needs to see.
I really hope we learn something from this whole things, and as a humanity we can do better. Even though this is a terrible virus and situation, I hope we can take something good away from this. We are all working together right now to battle this. We need to continue to do so after the virus has passed us. We could fix healthcare, we could minimize pollution. I’ve seen some beautiful things come out of this situation. We will be okay.
Hi there Erika,
Ditto. I agree that some good will come out of this and some powerful lessons will be learned. We are all in this together and working to put a stop to COVID-19. Even a band aid would be fine at this point as cases are predicted to rise dramatically here in the US soon..
We knew all of the symptoms of coronavirus – cough, fever, tiredness, aches and difficulty breathing – but who over heard that smell loss is one of them. A virus attacks so many lives and is happening every day yet we know so little. After reading this I can’t help but wonder what next.
Thanks for sharing this. I will share the post with others. 😊
I hear you. I think people all over the world are asking that same question.
Thanks for dropping in!
Erica
I wonder why no one knows about the loss of smell or taste that can happen to the COVID-19 patients. I first heard about anosmia by reading your article. It sucks that there isn’t currently a cure for anosmia, especially the permanent kind. this needs to be shared on social media so that other people will be informed about the anosmia issues of COVID-19 patients.
More people will be finding out soon I hope. Please feel free to share!
Stay healthy,
Erica
This is crazy. I wonder why this hasn’t been huge. You would think that the docs and co would taking this very seriously. Maybe they’re just having a delayed reaction like the symptoms of the virus.
I hope they can figure this all out. Like everyone I’d like it to be sooner than later. wee just have to hope and pray for the best.
Shanta,
Yes it is.I try to take it a one day at a time. It’s easier that way at least for me. Let’s just hope for the best possible outcome.
Be well,
Erica
Hi Erica,
Thanks for letting people know about this symptom that has gone under the radar all this time. There is so much that’s being said and so much research being carried out that we end up concluding we don’t know much about this new COVID-19. Letting people know about the link between anosmia and COVID-19 needs to be put out there.
Sharing this and hope it goes viral!
Hi Paolo,
Thanks for reaching out. When I looked at my newsfeed today it didn’t seem like there was much said. Hopefully be the week-end at least there will be something. Unknowing carriers would know to get tested if they have this symptom.
I think it’s huge and it should be public knowledge, not just readers of my MFF blog.
Wishing you good health and stay safe!
Erica
Covid-19 causing loss of sense of smell seems odd. What do you know learn something new everyday. Hope you are safe and keeping well. Good article.
Hi Gary,
As of today I seem to be symptom free.I’m doing all I can to stay that way and hope you are too.
Thanks for your comment!
Erica