Loss of taste and smell. How do we know it's COVID , flu or sinusitis?

Doctor Vasi Rădulescu made an analysis in which he highlighted the differences in symptoms in the case of coronavirus and in the case of viruses. He talked about the most common symptoms, loss of taste and smell and explained how they can be differentiated.

In a study published on his Facebook page, Vasi Rădulescu presents the latest theories about these symptoms.

We already know that loss of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageuzie) are common symptoms in Covid-19. Let's take it easy, let's learn more.

Do these symptoms only occur in Covid-19?

No way. Taste and smell are senses with intimate relationships between them. They are often affected in common colds and flu, but the duration is slightly shorter, 3 to 7 days, unlike Covid-19, where the smell and taste are affected even after 8-9 days.

I was talking about connections - when the smell changes, it was noticed that ageuzia / hypogeusia also come with it, especially in viral infections such as colds or flu.

Taste and odor disorders can also occur in sinusitis, polyposis, in smokers, in allergies, post-radiotherapy and in many other situations.

Signs it's Covid-19

Fever, muscle weakness / pain , marked fatigue, shortness of breath, dry cough are warning signs for Covid-19. Anosmia and ageuzia are common, but not mandatory. However, taking into account the prevalence of cases, these symptoms are strongly suggestive and require a test, isolation until the test, careful observation of the complete picture.

Why does the smell and taste disappear?

There are several theories here and nothing is known for sure. It was thought that SARS-Cov-2 would affect cells with ACE-2 receptors (the abbreviation comes from the enzyme angiotensin convertase type 2) linked to sensory devices, because it is known to corrupt cells and enter them using these receptors. However, the researchers did not find ACE-2 receptors in nerve cells. The second hypothesis was continuity - SARS-Cov-2 affects cells near sensory neurons, and the inflammation produced disrupts the functioning of these neurons. Like I said, nothing is certain yet. The third included the TMPRSS2 gene, thought to play an important role in allowing the virus to enter cells. However, this gene was not found on neurons either, but only in support cells, just like ACE-2 receptors.

How common are these symptoms and how long do they last?

Mayo Clinic checked the results of several studies and found an average loss of smell of 41%, and that of taste of 38.2%. A study in Europe, published in PubMed, showed that these symptoms last an average of 8.9 days, and for 98% of those infected, they disappear completely in 28 days.

How do we test our smell and taste?

It's relatively simple. For smell, we use various foods or objects, such as scented candles. For taste, we test with the main tastes and use salty, sweet, sour, bitter foods. Depending on other pathologies, the presence of smoking, taste or smell may be affected to varying degrees. Do not confuse anosmia and ageuzia with hyposmia and hypogeusia. A- means without, and hypo- means less. If we fail to feel the smell and / or taste at all, we corroborate with other symptoms, with the potential contacts in the past days with people declared positive. We call for testing, isolation.