Genetic risk factor found for Covid-19 smell and taste loss, researchers say

[Jilly_in_VA]

Scientists are piecing together why some people lose their sense of smell after contracting Covid-19.

A study published Monday in the journal Nature Genetics identified a genetic risk factor associated with the loss of smell after a Covid infection, a discovery that brings experts closer to understanding the perplexing pattern and may point the way toward much-needed treatments.

Six months after contracting Covid, as many as 1.6 million people in the United States are still unable to smell or have experienced a change in their ability to smell. The precise cause of sensory loss related to Covid is not known, but scientists do think it stems from damage to infected cells in a part of the nose called the olfactory epithelium. These cells protect olfactory neurons, which help humans smell.

“How we get from infection to smell loss remains unclear,” said Dr. Justin Turner, an associate professor of otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University who was not a part of the study.

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/genetic-risk-factor-found-covid-19-smell-taste-loss-researchers-say-rcna11996
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I couldn't smell or taste while I had it, but it didn't persist after like it does with some.

[LeftInTX]

1. I did not get loss of smell or taste, but I had a VERY mild case - just after Christmas 2021

I would not have guessed it was Covid, except family members had it.
Hubby paid $90 for a rapid test and he tested positive. So, I knew I also had it.

I felt like I had a cold/allergies for about 3-4 days.

Getting tested took a week
It took a week to get my results back and they were positive.
By the time I got tested all of my symptoms had resolved.

Fully vaccinated and boosted, I'm sure makes the world of a difference.

I was sick over the summer when Delta was going around. Hubby and I were sure we had it. We were pretty sick. We tested negative. We were sicker over the summer with whatever it was, than we were with Covid.

[rurallib]

2. Some folks have also had a reaction where food smells and tastes horrible

like trash or garbage. I suspect that is along those lines also. I wonder how people are able to keep themselves fed when they either can't taste or foo tastes horrible.

[LeftInTX]

3. I did not get any of that. Neither did my husband

Our symptoms were very mild. We are fully vaccinated and boosted. No loss of taste or smell.

I think loss of taste and smell is indicative of nasty upper respiratory involvement because it also happens with other infections.

[brewens]

4. That has been the thing that freaks me out the most and makes me not want to

find out what COVID is like. I know a few that had their smell and taste come back just fine, but what if it's messed up more stuff we don't know about? Same with the headaches. I hate headaches and have always been thankful I never had migraines. I had a girlfriend that did and the look of fear on her face when she felt one coming on was hard to see. She says she does much better now because of some treatment, but I knew it was horrible. The thought of a bad headache for days or weeks in scary. Not taking any chances here. I wish everyone could.