By Loss of smell and taste key symptoms of Covid-19
Researchers at King’s College London have assessed over 400,000 reported cases of Covid-19, and concluded that a loss of smell and taste may be a key symptom of Covid-19.
Much like other symptoms of coronavirus, these may also be signs of other respiratory infections, and experts still say that a fever or cough remain the most important symptoms of the virus to look out for and to act upon.
The study found that of those reporting the key symptoms of Covid-19, 18% also had a loss of sense of smell or taste, while only 10.5% suffered from a fever.
29% had a persistent cough, 53% had fatigue or tiredness, and 28% had a shortness of breath.
Of the 400,000 people sampled, 1702 had already been tested for Covid-19, with 579 returning a positive result.
This means that among those who were confirmed to have the virus, 59% reported a loss of smell or taste.
Using all the data collected the research team developed a model to identify which combination of symptoms together could predict Covid-19 cases.
At present, experts say there’s not enough evidence to support these claims, and neither Public Health England and the World Health Organization have added them to the list of symptoms to look out for.
ENT UK, the body that represents Ear, Nose and Throat doctors, says it is not surprising that some patients with coronavirus might report these as symptoms, but that they are not specific to Covid-19.
Lead researcher Professor Tim Spector said:
“When combined with other symptoms, people with loss of smell and taste appear to be three times more likely to have contracted Covid-19 according to our data, and should therefore self-isolate for seven days to reduce the spread of the disease.
This urgent research is only possible thanks to the 1.8 million citizen scientists logging their symptoms every day. This also gives us an evolving map of the UK of where symptoms are occurring two to three weeks before a strain on the NHS, which is why it’s vital to continue logging your health and symptoms, even when you feel completely healthy, and encourage others to use the app.”
You can access the app and report symptoms here.
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