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

Question

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.

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.