Why would COVID-19 cause loss of smell?

 

Why would COVID-19 lead to a decreased sense of smell?

Well, probably because you’re wearing a mask!

Just kidding. #toosoon?

As you may have heard, one of the early symptoms of COVID-19 may be a sudden decreased sense of smell.

Why might that be? Well, because all of the smell receptors are packed together in small area at the the roof of the nose. The virus can infect that area and effectively make the receptors non-functional.  It is actually more common than more people realize, but a common cause of decreased smell is a simple viral nasal infection, such as the common cold.  Most of the time it is a short term effect, but sometimes the effect can be permanent.

 
 
 

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Nose, Daily LifeErin Shellenbergernose, smell, COVID-19