Boris Johnson outlines 'importance' of coronavirus booster jabs
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Early in the coronavirus pandemic, it was discovered that losing two your tatse and smell could happen even in absence of other symptoms – something that has baffled doctors and patients ever since. Loss of these two vital senses is now so common it’s used as the most common indicator of infection, instead of other symptoms such as a continuous cough and fever.
But unlike other symptoms, once the phase of illness has passed, many don’t gain the use of of their senses back for weeks or months afterwards.
In facts, some have even reported being unable to taste or smell for around a year after infection.
Now more than 18 months since the pandemic reached the UK, anecdotal evidence suggests even some among the earliest to have been infected are still struggling with their senses.
Studies suggest that up to half of infected people temporarily lose their ability to perceive smells, although this may be as high as 67 percent in those with mild to moderate infections.
Nataly Komova from health and wellness experts Giejo exclusively revealed the causes of long-lasting loss of smell and taste to Express.co.uk.
Ms Komova said: “The effects tend to prolong even after recovery of the COVID-19 symptoms.
“However, the loss of taste after recovering from Covid is temporary.
“Many COVID-19 survivors report that they experience strange smells and awful tastes in foods they used to consume – this condition is known as parosmia.”
Ms Komova revealed that despite the distressing effects of the syndrome, it is entirely temporary and will recover over time.
She said: “It’s a temporary disorder that affects your smell and taste senses.
“On the contrary, parosmia indicates recovery of the sense of taste and smell.
“However, the condition may last for some weeks or months before you fully recover your taste sense.”
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But other peculiar symptoms have been reported in those who have had their sense of taste and smell ruined by the virus, with anecdotal evidence suggesting COVID-19 can change not only our ability to taste and smell things, but can alter our perception of how we experience them.
Ms Komova explained: “Other Covid survivors reported that they experience bizarre tastes.
“Some tend to smell odors that are not there or feel like rotten garbage.
“This condition is known as phantosmia. Medical experts say that having phantosmia and parosmia is common condition in COVID-19 patients.”
However, Ms Komova reveals that while this is unpleasant for sufferers, it’s actually good news and means your body is recovering.
She told Express.co.uk: “It indicates the recovery of your lost senses of smell and taste.
“Worry less, as your sense of taste cannot be changed permanently changed by getting COVID-19.”
Are there any treatments for loss of taste and smell?
There is little recommended by doctors to cure your sense of taste and smell, and no medicines can be described to get your senses back on track.
However, scientists at the University of East Anglia are trialling the use of vitamin A nose drops to help sufferers recover.
It is thought the vitamin could help repair tissue in the nose that can be damaged by the virus, and trials have already taken place in Germany with positive results.
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