Olfactory and Gustatory Alterations in Covid-19 Patients: A Tertiary Care Covid-19 Centre Inpatient Experience

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a deadly pandemic throughout the world. Many case series from all over the globe and in India are detecting a very high frequency of chemo sensitive disorders in COVID-19. There is increasing evidence that olfactory and gustatory dysfunction can be present in COVID-19 patients. Olfactory and gustatory function was subjectively tested in 300 COVID-19 patients admitted at our hospital, Government Medical College, Jammu first through telephonic interviews followed by online questionnaire. Among our test population, 159 patients (53%) reported olfactory and gustatory alterations within 5 days of testing positive for COVID-19. 52% of those complaining olfactory dysfunction developed it before testing positive while 45% of those having gustatory dysfunction reported the same before testing positive for the disease. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions represent common clinical findings in COVID-19 patients. Otorhinolaryngologists and head-neck surgeons must by now keep this diagnostic option in mind when evaluating cases of non-specific anosmia and ageusia that arose suddenly and are not associated with rhinitis/influenza symptoms.

Automated summary

COVID-19 patients frequently exhibit olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions, with 53% of patients experiencing alterations within 5 days of testing positive. These symptoms may manifest before testing positive, indicating the need for healthcare professionals to consider this diagnostic option for sudden onset non-specific anosmia and ageusia.