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Loss of Smell Is No Longer Telltale Sign of COVID

Author Kayla Morgan

The arrival of fall reminds us to prepare for the usual sniffles and coughs that come with the colder months ahead. Adding to the mix of worries is the ongoing concern of COVID-19. However, a recent study suggests that losing the sense of smell — once considered a symptom of COVID-19 — might not be a reliable indicator anymore.

The results come from an analysis of a large set of medical records gathered by the National Institutes of Health for COVID-19 researchers across the country.

Dr. Evan Reiter, led the study at VCU Health’s Smell and Taste Disorders Center and published a report in May in the journal Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The report investigated the likelihood of COVID-19 patients experiencing loss of smell and taste. Initially, about half of the cases showed loss of smell during the early pandemic phase, but recent research indicates a lower prevalence of 3% to 4% during the Omicron waves.

Evolving symptoms

This study highlights the evolving symptoms caused by the virus due to emerging variants and the protection offered by immunity from prior infections and vaccinations, which early patients lacked.

Another recent study from University College London noted a significant decrease in cases reporting a loss of taste or smell. This was after the emergence of the Omicron strain in 2021. As new variants emerged, the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 started resembling common respiratory issues. The highly contagious Omicron strains even led to more coughing and sneezing, as highlighted in the journal Scientific Reports.

During both last year’s and this year’s Omicron waves, the study noted that “the likelihood of losing the sense of smell due to infection was as low as 6%, in contrast to the rates observed in 2020.” The latest CDC data indicates that nearly all the currently circulating COVID-19 strains are versions of the Omicron variant.

5 Surprising Symptoms People Ignore Most When They're Sick

People ignore symptoms when they’re sick for several reasons. Some are simply in denial or scared of what a diagnosis could mean for their lives. They’d rather pretend nothing is wrong than face the truth. And then there are those who just don’t realize how serious their symptoms are. They brush them off as minor annoyances that will go away on their own.

Our busy lives also come into play. We’re so caught up in work and other responsibilities that we put our health on the back burner. It’s like we convince ourselves that we don’t have time to deal with it, hoping the symptoms will magically disappear. Plus, the cost of healthcare can be a huge deterrent. People worry about the financial burden of doctor visits, tests, and treatments, so they choose to tough it out instead.

Talker, a research company, along with OnePoll on behalf of Mucinex, conducted a poll of 2,000 people that revealed the top symptoms people ignore when they are sick. According to their study, around 48 percent of those surveyed brush off symptoms like cold sweats or chills. About 46 percent of people ignore a fever, while the study also revealed that 21 percent of people don’t even acknowledge the presence of green mucus.

Also found in this study is that even though people experience these obvious signs like body aches (46 percent) or a serious cough (19 percent), it takes them two whole days before they finally admit that something might be wrong with them. Interestingly, almost three in five people use the excuse of “it’s just allergies” to explain away their symptoms.

It turns out, one-third would write off a sore or scratchy throat as just allergies, while only 16 percent would acknowledge that they might be sick. Another 14 percent would even go as far as blaming the weather for their discomfort.

“We want to remind people that taking care of their health should always be a top priority, and that includes taking the time to rest and recover when necessary,” Albert So, marketing director of Mucinex, said. “It’s important to understand your body and your symptoms so you can choose the right medication to address your needs.”

Take a look at the complete study here.

These are 5 surprising symptoms people ignore when they’re sick.

  • Cold sweats or Chills

    Chills and cold sweats can be uncomfortable. Chills feel like a sudden wave of cold running through your body, making you shiver. Cold sweats, on the other hand, are when you start sweating but your skin feels cold and damp instead of warm. Some people may not immediately associate these symptoms with something serious. They might attribute them to temporary factors such as being in a cold environment or wearing too many layers of clothing. People may underestimate the significance of cold sweats or chills, especially if they are not accompanied by other noticeable symptoms. They may assume it’s just a passing discomfort that doesn’t require medical attention.

    Female with chills lying on a couch

    Tibanna79/ Getty Images

  • Fever

    When you have a fever, your body temperature rises above its normal range, which is typically around 98.6°F (37°C). Fevers can vary in severity and may range from mild to high-grade, depending on the underlying cause. Sometimes, people ignore a fever for a few reasons. They might think it’s just a common cold or flu and believe it’ll go away on its own. It’s important to remember that a fever can be a sign that the body is fighting an infection or an underlying health condition.

    Woman blowing nose and checking body temperature

    Paolo Cordoni/ Getty Images

  • Body Aches

    When you experience body aches, you may feel soreness, tenderness, or a general sense of discomfort in your muscles, joints, or other areas. People may dismiss body aches because they may think it’s just a normal part of everyday life and not something to be concerned about. Some may believe their body aches are due to factors like physical exertion, tiredness, or overexertion during exercise. Also, if someone has experienced them before and they have resolved on their own.

    Woman lying on a bed waking up suffering back ache at home or hotel room

    AntonioGuillem/ Getty Images

  • Green Mucus

    Some people may believe that the color of mucus is not a reliable indicator of an illness. While green mucus can be associated with certain infections or respiratory conditions, it’s not always a definite sign of a serious problem. People may assume that it’s normal and will resolve on its own.

    Young woman blowing nose while working in the office.

    Drazen Zigic/ Getty Images

  • Serious Cough

    This kind of cough can disrupt your daily life, mess with your sleep, and leave you feeling exhausted. People ignore serious coughs for a few reasons. Some think it’ll go away on its own or believe it’s just a minor issue like a cold or allergies. Others worry about the cost or hassle of going to the doctor. There’s also the fear of getting a serious diagnosis that can make people hesitant to seek help.

    Sick man coughing in his arm joint

    klebercordeiro/ Getty Images

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

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