NJ Advance Media has launched a feature in which our reporters provide answers to commonly asked questions about the coronavirus epidemic that has hit hard in New Jersey.
Today’s questions are answered by Dr. Rachel Kaye, an assistant professor of otolaryngology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Since March, Dr. Kaye has been studying the loss of senses in connection to the coronavirus. Her team is currently conducting a study analyzing more than 1,000 reports of coronavirus patients experiencing loss of taste or smell.
Q: If I lose my sense of taste or smell, does that mean I have the coronavirus?
A: Not necessarily. If you lose your sense of taste or smell, it means you may have the coronavirus. There are many conditions that can cause these symptoms, including seasonal allergies and upper respiratory infections, which can be due to any number of bacterial or viral pathogens, including the coronavirus.
Q: If those are my only symptoms, could I spread the coronavirus to other people?
A: Anecdotally, the answer is yes, which is why the CDC added these symptoms to their list in April. Although studies are currently ongoing, the evidence largely remains limited to personal accounts. The incidence rates have varied widely, but Dr. Kaye did point to a recent analysis published by The Physiological Society that reports changes in sense of taste or smell in 50% to 60% of COVID-19 patients.
Given today’s climate, Dr. Kaye recommends that if you develop changes in your sense of taste or smell as your only symptom, you should take precautions by getting a test for the coronavirus and quarantining away from others.
If you would like to submit a question about the coronavirus, please email your question to coronavirus2020@njadvancemedia.com.
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Jenny Whidden may be reached at jwhidden@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
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October 03, 2020 at 07:30PM
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Coronavirus question: If I lose my sense of taste or smell, does that mean I have COVID-19? - NJ.com
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