In Paris, March 15, 2020. – AFP
Covid-19 was known to cause fever, cough, shortness of breath, and even breathing difficulties. But ENT specialists are now alerting to another symptom they believe is associated with the disease: loss of smell.
Otorhinologists (ENTs) have observed in recent days “a resurgence of cases of anosmia”, said Friday the number 2 of the French Ministry of Health, Jérôme Salomon, taking his daily update on the situation in France. It is a “sudden disappearance” of smell, but without a stuffy nose, and sometimes accompanied by a disappearance of taste (ageusia).
A “fairly rare” symptom
This anosmia described by many people with Covid-19 can occur in isolation or with other symptoms associated with the virus. In case of anosmia, “you must call your doctor and avoid any self-medication without specialist advice,” said Jérôme Salomon. This symptom would however remain “quite rare” and “generally” observed in young patients, having “mild forms” of the disease, said the Director of Health.
The French ENT society had launched an alert Friday on the resurgence of these cases, shared by doctors on social networks. “There is an obvious link” between anosmia and the virus, says Jean-Michel Klein, president of the ENT National Professional Council, who practices in Paris. “Not all Covid-positive are anosmics, but all isolated anosmics without local cause, without inflammation, are Covid-positive,” said the specialist at Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“Confine yourself as a precaution, and wear a mask”
According to the first cases reported by the ENT professional network, the patients concerned are rather young, between 23 and 45 years old. Many health professionals would also be affected, including several ENTs. “People who experience anosmia must confine themselves as a precaution, and wear a mask, even at the family level”, according to Jean-Michel Klein. Contrary to what is done in the case of a classic anosmia, the doctor recommends not to administer corticotherapy, “which would lower the immune defenses”, or a nose wash which would risk “to send the virus from the nasal mucosa in the lungs. “
Following these initial findings, the ENTs have notified the college of general medicine as well as the ministry, and will study this phenomenon. German and American publications have noticed the same symptoms, said Jean-Michel Klein.
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