A new study finds that Covid-19 can damage the sense of smell for years after infection. Researchers from the US National Institutes of Health and NYU Langone Health used a 40-odour test to examine this problem.
Among participants who reported smell changes, 80% scored low on the clinical test taken about two years later. Of this group, 23% were severely impaired or had completely lost their sense of smell.
Surprisingly, 66% of infected people who noticed no smell issues also showed abnormal results. NYU professor Leora Horwitz said people with a history of Covid-19 face higher risk for reduced smell.
The study involved 3,535 adults, making it the largest to formally test post-Covid smell loss. Experts urge routine smell testing for Covid survivors. They are exploring treatments such as vitamin A supplements and olfactory training to help restore normal smell function.
