“For decades, physicians have known that respiratory tract viral infections are the most common reason for an acute loss of sense of smell,” says Javeed Siddiqui MD, MPH, the chief medical officer at TeleMed2U. Often, it’s one of the first noticeable signs that a person may have contracted the coronavirus.

In other words, loss of taste and smell is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Many also lose their sense of taste-likely because taste and aromas are interconnected. How common is loss of taste and smell from coronavirus?Īround 74% of COVID-19 patients lose their sense of smell, according to one study. But what is the prevalence of this odd side effect? How long does it typically last? Are there other ailments that can cause these symptoms? Read on to find the answers to these questions. Two other neurological symptoms have been so widely reported that they are sometimes considered the most reliable early indicator of infection: loss of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageusia). įever, body aches, and a dry cough are hallmark symptoms of COVID-19 the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. For the latest on the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Share on Facebook Facebook Logo Share on Twitter Twitter Logo Share on LinkedIn LinkedIn Logo Copy URL to clipboard Share Icon URL copied to clipboardĬORONAVIRUS UPDATE: As experts learn more about the novel coronavirus, news and information changes.