Is there a treatment for loss of taste and smell due to COVID-19?

An infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus can lead to sudden loss or reduction of smell and taste. Younger patients in particular suffer from this and sometimes it is the only symptom. Transient loss or reduction of smell and taste is more common with viral respiratory infections such as colds or flu. Normally the problem will improve spontaneously after about ten days.

The loss of smell and taste would occur more often in the variants that occurred in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th wave. The omicron variant would cause much less odor and taste loss or reduction. In a small number of patients, the loss of smell persists after the infection. If loss of smell lasts longer than four weeks, it is best to contact a specialist such as an ear, nose and throat specialist.

There are no medications against loss of smell, but there is training in which your sense of smell is stimulated and there is a chance of improvement. During this training, it must first be determined which odors are perceived less. A scent training can then be started where you smell scents such as eucalyptus, rose, lemon and cloves for a short time twice a day. The optimal result can be expected after three months.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2022-12-01 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025