Covid-19: how to find smell?

Up to 70% of patients with Covid-19 suffer from moderate or severe loss of smell, according to a study conducted by doctor Jérôme Lechien, ENT at the Foch hospital in Suresnes. This study, which has been following a cohort of 2,500 patients recruited from 18 European hospitals shows that the loss ofsmell lasts an average of 22 days, but that 6% of patients still have not regained their senses six months after illness.

How is the loss of smell explained?

The exact cause of this symptom, called anosmia. The virus was initially thought to infect neurons olfactory, but it seems that the brain are very rare. One of the main hypotheses is the infection of the cells of theepithelium nasal cells that support olfactory neurons. Italian researchers have also noticed that the loss of smell corresponds to an increase in molecule pro-inflammatory drug called interleukin-6. There are also differences between the sexes (women are less affected than men) and ethnic groups, which suggests a cause genetic.

Loss of smell: sometimes serious consequences

Even if the loss of smell can seem a relatively harmless symptom, it is very disabling in everyday life. Because the loss of sense of smell Also usually results in loss and deterioration of taste: patients complain that all food tastes “like cardboard” and that some foods taste disgusting. Anosmia can even have much more serious consequences. A 2014 study has shown that people with anosmia are twice as likely to consume spoiled food, to be poisoned by a leak of gas or exposed to a departure from fire. Loss of smell can also lead to nutritional deficiency.

What are the chances of regaining your sense of smell?

The sooner you recover your sense of smell, the greater the chances of a return to normal. ” In persistent loss of smell due to influenza, after six months there is only a 30-50% chance of spontaneous recovery », Testifies Carol Yan, rhinologist at the University of California at San Diego, in the magazine For Science. There have been cases of recovery after two years, but beyond that, “ the regenerative capacity is hampered and the chances of recovery are unfortunately quite slim “, Warns the scientist.

How to find the sense of smell?

In the acute phase, anti-inflammatory treatment may be prescribed. Carol Yan recommends for example theirrigation sinuses with budesonide, a potent steroid local including a study from Stanford University has been shown to improve results in people who have lost their sense of smell for more than six months after having the flu. But by the rhinologist’s own admission, the results are not staggering.

For most patients, the main treatment is to “train” their sense of smell, for example with essential oils, soaps, a lottery of smells or by tasting different flavors (chocolate, grapefruit, mint …). “ Train several times a day to associate the smells by smelling the coffee while looking at the cup, advises for example Jérôme Lechien. Even if you don’t smell anything at first, it allows your olfactory system to recapture the smells and create an association in the brain. “. Fruits and vegetables, rich in antioxidants, where the vitamins B9 and B12, would also allow better recovery of his sense of smell.

The association anosmie.org has developed an application called “Covidanosmie.fr” to find the sense of smell more quickly. Developed in collaboration with doctors, it is used with a kit of essential oils (on sale via the site) and offers personalized follow-up and specialist advice.