Netizens share their experience of decreased sense of smell after infection on social platforms. Photo courtesy of Li Xiaoqing (pseudonym)

The loss of taste and smell may be related to the intensity of immune response of infected people.

The research published by Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania and other scientific research institutions in the Library of Science on February 14 found that the loss of taste or smell after COVID-19 infection may be related to the immune response intensity of the infected person.

12 18 A study published in the Journal of Neurology of the American Medical Association by the research team of Johns Hopkins University shows that olfactory loss is probably the response of human immune system to COVID-19 infection.

According to a report by National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) on July 28th, in an analysis report published by BMJ, the researchers analyzed 18 previous studies on the loss of sense of smell and taste in several continents and different populations, and found that about 75% of these patients would recover their sense of smell or taste within 30 days. The report pointed out that with the passage of time, the recovery speed of smell or taste has improved. In addition, a study conducted by scientists from the Singapore General Hospital in September 2022 found that after six months of COVID-19 infection, most patients would regain their sense of smell or taste.

It's not a sequela, but it can be recovered within a month.

"Sequela generally refers to the symptoms that persist after the disease is completely cured. After the acute phase of COVID-19's infection, some people's symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, such as nasal congestion, cough and decreased sense of smell and taste, do not belong to the category of sequelae, and can only be said to be one of the symptoms of COVID-19 infection. " 65438+February 2 1, Zhao Yu, chief physician of the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Huaxi Hospital, said in an interview with People's Daily Health Client.

Lin Jiangtao, the chief physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of China Friendship Hospital, also pointed out in the program "Doctors Say" of People's Daily Health Client that the loss of sense of smell and taste is a "transient" symptom of COVID-19 infection, especially the infection of Omicron virus strain. With the gradual remission of the course and symptoms, most people can completely return to normal on their own.