Could sudden loss of taste and smell be a symptom of COVID-19 infection?

There are indications that sudden loss of taste or smell may be a sign of COVID-19 infection. At the beginning of the pandemic, there was not a single scientific publication that showed this. Such complaints can also occur with the flu or a cold. However, more recent research has shown that loss of taste and/or smell is sometimes the only symptom of COVID-19. In any case, it is a reason to get tested for COVID-19.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7751267/

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