What should you know about COVID-19 and sense of smell?

A viral infection can affect the smell-sensing lining and the way signals are processed. You may notice that familiar foods seem bland, smells are absent, or ordinary odours seem unpleasant or different. A change in smell can occur with COVID-19, but it can also follow nasal congestion, another viral illness, allergies, medicines, or a problem affecting the nose. It does not by itself confirm COVID-19. Check for accompanying cough, fever, fatigue, headache, or feeling generally unwell, and consider the testing advice relevant to your setting.

Avoid relying on smell to detect smoke, gas, spoiled food, or other hazards; use working alarms and check dates and storage conditions. Keep away from close contact while you have possible respiratory infection symptoms and follow local testing guidance. Do not put irritants or unprescribed substances inside the nose. Note when the change began, whether congestion is present, and whether flavours or unpleasant phantom smells are changing. A clinician can examine the nose and review medicines or other causes.

Arrange medical advice if smell loss is sudden without a clear cold, continues after the acute illness, repeatedly returns, or interferes with eating and safety. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, chest pressure, new confusion, inability to stay awake, or blue or grey lips or skin. Worsening fever, severe weakness, or a cough with breathing trouble also needs prompt assessment.

Ask whether testing is appropriate, whether nasal congestion or a medicine could explain the change, and how to protect yourself from household hazards. If symptoms continue, ask whether an ear, nose, and throat assessment is needed and whether ongoing symptoms fit Long COVID.