Patients like this after COVID-19 may have a problem. Systems are not ready

Health systems are not ready for what is actually happening. Doctors around the world find convalescents who have had troublesome ailments after COVID-19. The so-called long covid covers various health problems. According to the findings published in “The BMJ”, the loss of smell and taste deserve special attention.

1. Scientists estimated that the loss of smell or taste could affect up to 27 million people worldwide
2. Most convalescents resolve these symptoms over time, but this is not always the case
3. Women regain smell and taste less often than men
4. More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.

People with these symptoms will require specialist help

The authors of the publication in The BMJ (former British Medical Journal claim that the COVID-19 pandemic will irreversibly change the attitude of doctors and patients to chronic diseases. They consider monitoring ailments related to the loss of smell and taste as a particular challenge, because so far – even among doctors – there were considered much less important than the senses of sight and hearing.

Meanwhile, scientists have calculated that out of the pool of recorded cases of people suffering from COVID-19 (550 million), up to 27 million people worldwide will require specialist help in the field of loss of smell and taste. Since these senses require separate therapy, scientists have indicated that 15 million patients will have problems with smell and 12 million with taste.

Scientists emphasize that although the mechanisms of loss of smell and taste as a result of coronavirus infection are still being studied – it is already known that their impairment not only reduces the quality of life, but may be a precursor to other serious diseases, including depression and neurodegenerative disorders.

The smell and taste do not come back in everyone

Scientists analyzed 18 observational studies involving 3 699 patients who have lost their sense of smell and taste. They then used a mathematical technique known as ‘treatment modeling’ to estimate personally reported recovery and to identify key factors related to the duration and likelihood of smell and taste regaining.

It turned out that the loss of smell may persist in 5,6% of patients, while 4,4 percent. may not regain his sense of taste. After 30 days from the initial infection, only 74 percent. patients reported a return of smell, and 79 percent. patients – taste.

Six months after the infection, the rates were rising, reaching a peak of 96%. for the fragrance and 98 for the taste. At first glance, these indicators look good, but taking into account the huge number of patients in the world – 4 percent. people who have not regained their senses at all – in practice, millions of sufferers.

The study found that women were less likely to regain their sense of smell and taste than men, while patients with greater initial severity of loss of smell – and those with a stuffy nose – were less likely to regain their sense of smell.

«A large group of patients can develop long-term dysfunction that requires prompt identification, personalized treatment, and long-term follow-up. The results of our work are particularly important for general practitioners and otolaryngologists »explain the scientists and warn that no health care system is prepared for the burden that may be caused by patients seeking long-term help in connection with long covid. Loss of smell and taste is just one item in a long list of long covid ailments. (PAP)

Author: Urszula Kaczorowska

We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time Joanna Kozłowska, author of the book High Sensitivity. A Guide for Those Who Feel Too Much »says that high sensitivity is not a disease or dysfunction – it’s just a set of characteristics that affect the way you perceive and perceive the world. What are the genetics of WWO? What are the perks of being highly sensitive? How to act with your high sensitivity? You will find out by listening to the latest episode of our podcast.