among one of the first signs of infection.
“[It] usually occurs for those who have a mild form of the virus,” Tajudeen adds. “Patients with smell loss are normally at home recovering and not admitted into the hospital or on a ventilator.”
With other viruses, recovery of smell could take months and even years. For COVID-19 patients, the sense of smell usually returns in about four weeks. COVID-19 patients whose loss of smell lasts longer than that should see a specialist, Tajudeen suggests.
It’s also a good idea to see an ear, nose and throat specialist anytime you have a loss of smell, he adds.
If you are concerned about the loss of smell or unsure what may be causing it, consult with your doctor. If you have nasal polyps, your doctor can recommend medications that can help treat your loss of smell.