JAKARTA, SENAYANPOST.com – Anosmia or loss of the ability to smell is one of the typical symptoms of Covid-19. The same can be experienced by flu or cold patients. So, what is the difference between anosmia in Covid-19 and a cold?
A number of studies have shown that a large proportion of Covid-19 patients experience anosmia. Not only in symptomatic patients, loss of sense of smell also occurs in asymptomatic patients.
In the case of Covid-19, the SARS-CoV-2 virus attacks the sense of smell and temporarily blocks its vital functions. People who have flu or colds can also feel the loss and reduced function of smell.
A study published in the journal Rhinology looked for differences between anosmia in Covid-19 and the cold. Researchers tested the ability of smell and taste in 10 Covid-19 patients, 10 flu or cold patients, and 10 healthy people.
Quoting Medical Xpress, the results found that the loss of smell function in Covid-19 patients was more severe. In corona patients, the loss of the ability to smell is accompanied by the inability of the sense of taste to taste food, in particular distinguishing between bitter and sweet tastes.
However, the same thing – decreased sense of taste – is not felt by cold patients. A few cold patients have decreased taste function, but they can still distinguish between bitter and sweet tastes.
In addition, in the case of flu, the loss of the ability to smell occurs due to a blocked nose and airway. Meanwhile, in Covid-19 patients, loss of olfactory function occurs due to the spread of infection to the olfactory nerve. This does not result in nasal congestion.
Previously, other studies have also found differences in anosmia in Covid-19 and colds. In Covid-19, anosmia lasts for a long time, up to almost a month. Meanwhile, in the case of colds, anosmia generally improves within one week.
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