OU Med Doctor Explains Loss Of Smell As Coronavirus Symptom

An ear nose and throat doctor with OU Medicine said the institution is collecting its own data on loss of smell and taste as a symptom of COVID-19.

Studies from the United Kingdom and UC San Diego Health confirm the sensations can be a symptom of the virus.

“A lot of patients that notice their loss of smell notice it kind of out of the blue. They might notice it when they’re cooking. They might notice it when they’re cleaning,” Greg Krempl, MD, OU Medicine Otolaryngology Chair said.

According to Krempl, a loss of taste or smell can be the only symptom a patient experiences in some cases.

“Reports coming out of the UK would suggest that about 20% of the patients who had loss of smell and the virus had no other symptom associated with it,” Krempl said.

Krempl said OU Medicine is also keeping track of the symptom as patients test positive, to further contribute to COVID-19 research.

A simple test for taste and smell can be done at home using jellybeans.

“Take a jellybean, you want it to be a flavorful one, and before you put it in your mouth, you pinch your nose, and hold your nose tight, and then put the jellybean in your mouth and chew it. If you taste something, then you have taste,” Krempl said.

However, a loss of taste or smell is not always an indication of COVID-19 and could happen for numerous other reasons.

According to Krempl, it’s one of many possible symptoms to look out for and pay attention to.

“We don’t have enough evidence to say if you lose your smell suddenly, you’re at high risk for the COVID or coronavirus disease,” Krempl said.