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Abstract Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a dangerous infectious disease caused by a newly discovered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that has various clinical presentations. Numerable cases with non-specific olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in COVID-19 have been reported from all over the globe. This is important as awareness will let people to self-isolate and help in limiting disease spread. Objective To objectively evaluate the frequency of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction, which may occur independently or with other symptoms, in laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients at an early stage of the disease. Methods Objective evaluation of olfactory and gustatory function of 322 COVID-19 patients treated at our hospital, (SMGS, Government Medical College, Jammu), from August 2020 until November 2020. Results Our study population included 127 (39.4%) males and 195 (60.6%) females. Two hundred and twenty-six (70.2%) COVID-19 patients experienced olfactory and gustatory disorders. One hundred and sixty-five (51.2%) cases experienced both olfactory and gustatory disorders. Isolated olfactory dysfunction was reported in 34 (10.6%) patients, while 27 (8.4%) patients experienced only gustatory dysfunction. Conclusion The olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions, without any nasal obstruction or rhinorrhea, are significant symptoms in the clinical presentation of early COVID-19 patients. This presentation can be recognized at the earliest one, and it can reduce the high communicability of the COVID-19 disease.
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Background: Chemosensory disturbances such as altered smell and taste sensations have a strong impact on health and quality of life. The lack of awareness of these chemosensory symptoms post-coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 vaccination has led to apprehension. When adequately addressed, it can encourage people to take vaccines which are a life-saving tool in this pandemic. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to assess the prevalence and duration of altered smell and taste post-COVID-19 vaccination. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted during January–August 2021. The Institutional Ethical Committee clearance was obtained. Data was collected from 242 COVID-19 vaccine beneficiaries majority of them being health care workers by online and offline survey questionnaires. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS 21. Results: Out of 250 respondents, 242 completed the study. About 95% of them received CoviShield, 3.8% Covaxin, and 1.3% Pfizer. Perception of altered smell (olfactory dysfunction), taste (gustatory dysfunction), and both smell and taste was reported by 5.8%, 8.27%, and 2.61% of study participants. The mean duration was 3.43 ± 2.03 and 4 ± 1.64 days for altered smell and taste, respectively, with complete recovery. Conclusion: Chemosensory disturbances were reported in a small percentage of vaccine beneficiaries and all of them recovered within a few days completely without any medications. Vaccines are a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19 and we should emphasize on its health and lifesaving benefits and reassure those chemosensory disturbances have complete recovery.
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La enfermedad del corona virus 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo (virus SARS-CoV-2) apareció por primera vez en diciembre de 2019 en Wuhan, China, y desde entonces se ha extendido rápidamente por todo el mundo. Desde entonces, el brote de esta grave enfermedad viral se ha convertido en una amenaza global para la humanidad. El diagnóstico precoz y el aislamiento son las medidas más importantes necesarias para prevenir su propagación. La evidencia anecdótica reciente ha sugerido manifestaciones orales con o sin deterioro olfativo y gustativo en asociación con la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19). La enzima convertidora de angiotensina-2 (ECA-2) se expresa en la mucosa oral en grandes cantidades y, por tanto, puede contribuir a las primeras manifestaciones de esta enfermedad viral mortal. Las manifestaciones bucales de la enfermedad por coronavirus pueden presentarse en forma de lesiones ulcerativas irregulares en relación con diferentes partes de la cavidad oral y, en particular, en relación con la mucosa adherida en la región del paladar duro, así como inflamación y posterior atrofia de las diversas papilas de la lengua. La disfunción olfativa y gustativa asociada también puede conducir a una pérdida parcial y / o incluso completa de la capacidad para oler y saborear en las primeras etapas del inicio de la enfermedad. La evidencia también ha sugerido la presencia de ácido nucleico del SARS-CoV-2 en la saliva humana, lo que la convierte en portadora de la enfermedad viral infecciosa y ayuda en su diagnóstico. Hemos buscado sistemáticamente la base de datos médica para el mismo y hemos revisado toda la literatura disponible hasta el 29 de junio de 2020
Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 virus) disease had first appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and has been spreading quickly throughout the world since then. Since then, the outbreak of this severe viral disease has become a global threat to humanity. An early diagnosis and isolation are the most significant measures required to prevent its spread. Recent anecdotal evidence has suggested oral manifestations with or, without olfactory and gustatory impairment in association with corona virus disease (COVID-19). Angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) is expressed in oral mucosa in large amounts and can, thus, contribute in the early manifestations of this deadly viral disease. The oral manifestations of corona virus disease can occur in the form of irregular ulcerative lesions in relation to different parts of the oral cavity and particularly, in relation to the attached mucosa in the hard palate region as well as inflammation and subsequent, atrophy of the various tongue papilla. The associated olfactory and gustatory dysfunction can, also, lead to partial and/or, even a complete loss of the ability to smell and taste in the early stages of the disease onset. Evidence has, also, suggested the presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in human saliva making it the carrier of the infectious viral disease as well as aiding in its diagnosis. We have systemically searched medical database for the same and have reviewed all the literature available up to 29th of June 2020.