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Does COVID-19 infection cause loss of taste and smell?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I got a fever of 100.8 degrees Fahrenheit and a cold three days back, along with a headache. After taking medicines, the fever, cold, and headache were reduced. But I still have body pain. I also have a slight loss of taste and smell.

What to do?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam is a General Practitioner and Family Physician with broad clinical experience. He specializes in Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, delivering expert care for respiratory and internal conditions. With a patient-centered approach, he emphasizes accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and prevention, providing comprehensive, personalized care to improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients across all ages.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

According to your statement, you have been suffering from a fever, a cold, and a headache for three days. After taking medication, your fever, headache, and cold subsided. But still, you are suffering from body aches with loss of taste and smell. Sudden loss of smell occurs due to viral infections like COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2).

You need to undergo investigations like an antigen test, an antibody test, or an RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test for the COVID-19 virus.

I hope it helped.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Do I need to undergo a COVID-19 test?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam is a General Practitioner and Family Physician with broad clinical experience. He specializes in Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, delivering expert care for respiratory and internal conditions. With a patient-centered approach, he emphasizes accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and prevention, providing comprehensive, personalized care to improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients across all ages.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, you need to undergo a COVID-19 test, as your sense of smell is lost.

In the meantime, you can take the following medications.

You can take a tablet. Auricin 500 mg (Azithromycin), one tablet at night for ten days. Allegra 120 mg (Fexofenadine) one tablet at night for ten days, and tablet Singulair 10 mg (Montelukast) one tablet at night for 15 days. You can take Paracetamol only for fever, headache, and body aches.

Gargle with salt mixed with lukewarm water three to four times a day. Take tea with ginger three to four times a day. Monitor your oxygen saturation level using a pulse oximeter. If you suffer from an intractable cough later, then you need to do an HRCT (high-resolution computed tomography) of your chest.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At August 24, 2020
Reviewed At June 30, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam is a General Practitioner and Family Physician with broad clinical experience. He specializes in Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, delivering expert care for respiratory and internal conditions. With a patient-centered approach, he emphasizes accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and prevention, providing comprehensive, personalized care to improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients across all ages.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam is a General Practitioner and Family Physician with broad clinical experience. He specializes in Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, delivering expert care for respiratory and internal conditions. With a patient-centered approach, he emphasizes accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and prevention, providing comprehensive, personalized care to improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients across all ages.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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