Anosmia Is a Key Symptom of COVID-19 Infection and Should Be Used as a Diagnostic Tool

Ear Nose Throat J. 2020 Nov;99(9):577-578. doi: 10.1177/0145561320925191. Epub 2020 May 21.

Abstract

Based on observations described in our letter, we can draw the following conclusions: (1) anosmia must imperatively be added to the list of specific symptoms of COVID-19 infection, (2) anosmia can serve as a free and specific diagnostic tool for developing countries currently affected by the pandemic, (3) the mechanisms of COVID-19 anosmia seem not to directly involve nasal obstruction but rather seem to be related to damage the olfactory neuroepithelium.

Keywords: COVID-19; anosmia; diagnostic; neuroepithelium.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Olfaction Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Olfaction Disorders / physiopathology
  • Olfactory Mucosa
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / physiopathology
  • SARS-CoV-2