June 14, 2023 – Millions of Americans infected with COVID-19 have still not fully recovered their sense of taste and smell, a brand new report says.
Nearly 36 million people were diagnosed in 2021, and 60% of them reported accompanying lack of smell or taste, in line with the study by Mass Eye and Ear, which is affiliated with Harvard Medical School in Boston. The study was published in The laryngoscope.
Most people regained their full senses, but about 24 percent retained their sense of smell completely and greater than 3 percent never recovered, the study said. The numbers were similar for many who lost their sense of taste, the report said.
“Many people never fully recovered,” said Dr. Neil Bhattacharyya, professor of otolaryngology and considered one of the study’s authors. Assetsand estimates that as much as 6 million persons are still affected by the symptoms. “If you lost your sense of smell, have you got it back? The odds of not doing so are about one in four. That's terrible.”
Researchers examined the medical records of 30,000 adults who had COVID-19 in 2021. They reported that patients with more severe cases were less prone to regain some or all of their senses.
Some patients have reported losing their appetite because they will now not smell food, and there are concerns that they might lose their sense of smell for gas and smoke, spoiled food and dirty diapers.
People with symptoms should see their doctor, Bhattacharyya said. The symptoms could have causes aside from lingering COVID-19 effects and will be treatable.