US newspaper: Detecting extremely simple symptoms to identify people suspected of covid-19 infection

According to the New York Times, doctors are recommending testing and isolation for those who cannot smell and taste, even if they have no symptoms of covid-19.

Symptoms are easy to spot

A mother infected with corona virus cannot smell the baby's diaper. The average chef can read the name of each aroma in the restaurant but suddenly could not smell the garlic or curry, and tasted any dish would feel faint. Many say it is impossible to smell the sweet smell of shampoo.

According to the New York Times, the above symptoms of olfactory and taste impairment are thought to be one of the signals of covid-19 infected patients.

On March 20, a number of ear, nose and throat doctors in the UK cited from other colleagues around the world and made a call for 7-day isolation for adults with olfactory disabilities. , even if they have no symptoms of covid-19 disease. While the data are incomplete, doctors say these symptoms may be an early warning before the onset of illness.

"We really want to raise awareness that this is a contagious disease and that anyone with olfactory impairment should isolate themselves," said Professor Claire Hopkins, president of the Association for Nose Research in English, write in email. "It will help slow the infection and save many lives."

Ms. Hopkins and Nirmal Kumar, president of ENT UK - a group representing the ENT, in the UK - issued a joint notice to encourage health workers to use personal protective equipment. when curing patients with olfactory impairment, and reducing sinus endoscopy when not needed.

According to Dr. Hopkins, two experts in the UK are infected with corona virus is currently in critical condition. Reports from Wuhan, China show that otolaryngologists and eye doctors are susceptible to infection and death.

The evidence is clear

The team of British doctors citing reports from other countries shows that a large number of patients infected with corona virus have a loss of olfactory capacity. In South Korea, 30% of the 2,000 patients who are positive for their olfactory diseases are significantly weakened.

On March 22, the American Academy of Otolaryngology posted on its website that there was ample evidence that olfactory and taste impairment were obvious symptoms associated with covid-19, and that This symptom is also present in patients who are not yet ill.

Decreased olfactory and taste capacity is one of the signals of covid-19 infected patients.(Photo: Alessandro Grassani).

Therefore, if a patient has an olfactory impairment without allergies and sinusitis, doctors need to quickly test and "give serious warning about quarantining these patients" . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that people postpone meetings for a few weeks and change working procedures.

The American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology writes: "There is increasing evidence that otolaryngologists are the most at risk from performing respiratory surgeries and surgeries. "China, Italy and Iran have shown high rates of infection in this group of doctors. Many people have died."

Dr Rachel Kaye, an associate professor at the Department of Otolaryngology in Rutgers, said her colleagues in New Rochelle, New York, had warned her about the problem. Accordingly, patients who complain about the inability to smell the resulting aroma will test positive for corona virus."This worries me because these patients don't know about self-isolation."

In the most heavily affected areas of the covid-19 epidemic in Italy, doctors say they have included a "sense of smell and taste" symptom on a list of symptoms showing that a person may be carrying them. corona virus and easily infect others.

"Almost everyone admitted to the hospital shares the same story," said Dr. Marco Metra, head of the cardiology department at the hospital in Brescia, where 700 patients with the coronary virus infection. "I asked about the patient's wife and she said: 'My wife has a reduced ability to smell and taste but it is okay'. That means his wife is likely ill and is contagious. spread to others without knowing it ".

Many doctors in Germany say nearly half of all covid-19 infected patients lose the ability to smell and taste, and this symptom usually appears after the first symptoms of respiratory disease. This can be considered a sign to find out who needs corona virus testing.

Amy Plattmier, a woman in Brooklyn, did not test for coronavirus when she was sick, but her husband was infected and confirmed positive. Plattmier said her nose was normally hearing, but now she could not smell anything - not even the smell of detergent that made her nauseous or the smell of pets.

Berry, a tattoo artist in Orlando, said: "Even without a stuffy nose, I can't smell the food I'm cooking. I don't feel like eating anymore, hopefully this is not a long time symptom. long".

Berry was tested negative for the flu but doctors thought he was infected with the corona virus.

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