Cough, fever, tiredness … and something else. Do you know the new symptom that is associated with the coronavirus (and that can appear alone)?

Anyone has ever experienced how because of a cold or the flu his sense of taste and smell altered and ceased to be as usual. ANDThis symptom is technically known as anosmia. and is about to become part of the list of symptoms of coronavirus infection. The reason? Doctors around the world (especially Germans and Koreans) have encrypted that the loss of smell (which ends up affecting our sense of taste) occurs in 30-60% of those affected by coronavirus.

A common symptom of other viruses

Acute disturbances of smell and taste (usually their disappearance) are usually present in viral processes. In fact, the second most common cause of loss of smell is called posterior viral olfactory loss (PVOL). Some studies suggest that approximately 12% of people with acquired anosmia suffer from a flu-like virus or the cold and, as far as we know so far, the COVID-19 is part of that category.

From the British Rhinology Society It is claimed that there is already evidence from South Korea, China and Italy that a significant number of patients with proven COVID-19 infection have developed anosmia. In Germany it is reported that more than two out of three confirmed cases have anosmia. In South Korea, where testing has become widespread, 30% of patients with positive results they have had anosmia as their main presenting symptom in mild cases.

If you lose your sense of smell, stay home

The most interesting thing about this new symptom is that in an increasing number of reports many patients declare that they have lost their sense of taste and smell, but they lack the rest of the symptoms to which we were alert (fever, cough, respiratory fatigue …). These patients are believed to be some of the hidden carriers of the coronavirus that they have so far facilitated. the rapid spread of COVID-19 because until now they were not recommended neither isolation nor to be tested to find out if they had the virus.

In Spain, the Spanish Society of Neurology recommends that the CoVID-19 infection being highly contagious that it be considered acute anosmia as one of the symptoms of CoVID-19 infection although there are no other viral symptoms or mucus and advises these people who have lost their sense of smell, but who are otherwise well, to continue 14 days isolation communicating to the doctor the development of new symptoms.