Scientists called unexpected symptoms of the latent form of coronavirus
Anyone experiencing a sudden loss of sense of smell can be a "hidden carrier" of coronavirus, even if it has no other symptoms, according to data compiled by leading rhinologists in the UK, writes Business Insider.
In South Korea, China, and Italy, about a third of patients with a positive COVID-19 test also reported a loss of smell, known as anosmia or hyposmia.
“In South Korea, where testing has become more widespread, 30% of patients with a positive test had anosmia as the main symptom,” British Rhinology Society professor Claire Hopkins and Otolaryngology Association president Professor Nirmal Kumar said in a joint statement.
Professors say many patients around the world who test positive for COVID-19 show only symptoms of loss of smell and taste - without the recognized symptoms of fever and cough.
On the subject: 'Contagion': how a 2011 film predicted the coronavirus epidemic
“There have been rapidly growing reports of a significant increase in the number of patients with anosmia in the absence of other symptoms,” the statement said. “Iran has reported a sudden increase in cases of isolated anosmia, and many colleagues from the US, France and Northern Italy have the same experience.”
The absence of other recognized symptoms in these cases may mean that they are unlikely to be tested and isolated, which means that they can contribute to the rapid spread of the disease throughout the world.
On the subject: Coronavirus and psychosomatics: why stress and panic make us vulnerable to infections
“These patients may be some of the hidden carriers that contributed to the rapid spread of COVID-19,” they added.
Young people may not have the general symptoms of coronavirus
Professor Kumar said younger patients in particular may only show a loss of smell or taste, without the more common signs of coronavirus - a high fever and persistent cough.
On the subject: Coronavirus and psychosomatics: why stress and panic make us vulnerable to infections
“Young patients do not have any significant symptoms such as cough and fever, but they may simply have a loss of smell and taste, which indicates the presence of coronavirus,” he said.
The professors called for everyone who discovered symptoms of loss of taste or smell to isolate themselves for seven days to prevent further spread of the disease.
Read also on ForumDaily:
Epidemiologist: quarantine stretches a pandemic in time, but does not reduce the number of infected
Tens of thousands of dollars: how much will COVID-19 treatment cost Americans
Coronavirus and psychosomatics: why stress and panic make us vulnerable to infections
My home is my castle: how to properly disinfect housing during a coronavirus pandemic
Six events that everyone was waiting for, but they never happened
Subscribe to ForumDaily on Google NewsDo you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.