Anosmia Is a Key Symptom of COVID-19 Infection and Should Be Used as a Diagnostic Tool
Jérôme R. Lechien, Maria Rosaria Barillari, Lionel Jouffe, Sven Saussez
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.
Topics & Concepts
AnosmiaMedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakPandemicIntensive care medicineVirologyPathologyDiseaseOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)Olfactory and Sensory Function StudiesAdvanced Chemical Sensor TechnologiesAllergic Rhinitis and Sensitization