"Loss of Smell and Taste Also Symptoms of COVID-19 Infection"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Loss of smell or taste may also be a symptom of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), according to an analysis. The U.S. medical community has also issued recommendations that if symptoms such as loss of smell appear, individuals should self-isolate and undergo diagnostic testing for COVID-19.

On the 23rd (local time), the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation released research findings stating that anosmia (loss of smell), hyposmia (reduced sense of smell), and dysgeusia (taste abnormalities) can be symptoms of COVID-19.

The academy introduced on its website, "Loss of smell is a symptom that appears in asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients," and added, "If this symptom appears, serious consideration should be given to self-isolation and diagnostic testing."

Earlier, 'ENT UK,' an organization representing otolaryngologists in the United Kingdom, also urged adults who have lost their sense of smell to enter self-isolation even if they do not show other symptoms.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Until now, the medical community has known that sudden loss of smell, hyposmia, or taste abnormalities can occur in respiratory-related diseases. ENT UK introduced, "There are records that many COVID-19 patients in Korea, China, Italy, and other countries have experienced loss of smell." They added, "In Germany, two-thirds of COVID-19 positive patients showed symptoms of loss of smell, and Korea, which conducted more extensive testing than Germany, also reported that 30% of patients experienced loss of smell symptoms."

A medical reporter from CNN evaluated, "Based on these cases, we have come to better understand the symptoms of COVID-19."

Until now, high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing have been considered the main symptoms of COVID-19. However, as cases of asymptomatic infections have been increasingly confirmed, concerns have been raised that it is difficult to identify who is infected with COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.