Loss of smell

In JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, researchers describe a woman in her 40s who presented with sudden loss of olfactory function, without dysgeusia. There was no nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, or fever. Several days earlier, she’d had a dry cough, headache, and muscle aches. Imaging showed bilateral inflammatory obstruction of the olfactory clefts. She ultimately tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The researchers conclude that “a sudden and complete olfactory function loss, without nasal obstruction in a patient with other symptoms, such as cough or fever, should alert the clinician to suspect SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery observation