Scientists from Columbia University have discovered that changes in taste and smell can detect COVID-19 without testing it. Research published in the journal PLOS ONE.
The study included 306 people with a mild course of novel coronavirus infection. Of these, 196, 195, and 177 reported subjective impairments in smell, taste, or both.
72% did not smell, 20% smelled stronger than normal, 2.0% weaker than normal and 5% smelled bad. IgG antibodies to the coronavirus spike protein were observed in 66% (176 participants).
The presence of antibodies was confirmed more frequently in men, but was not dependent on other factors such as age, ethnicity, smoking or duration of COVID-19.
The results of the study showed that subjective taste or olfactory dysfunction could accurately predict the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The data obtained may be useful for counseling patients.