Temporal Profile of Olfactory Dysfunction in COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with olfactory dysfunction, but the evolution of the olfactory loss and timeline to recovery are largely unknown. This study examines changes in smell sensitivity in COVID-19–positive (COVID+) and COVID-19–negative (COVID–) viral illness during the initial weeks after infection. Study Design: Cross-sectional cohort comparison. Setting: National anonymous surveys. Methods: Survey participants were queried about smell sensitivity and general health status at the time of COVID-19 testing and in the weeks that followed. Results: In total, 375 (174 COVID+, 201 COVID–) participants completed the survey and 132 (62 COVID+, 70 COVID–) participants completed the 2-week follow-up survey. Normal smell in the COVID+ cohort was less frequent at the time of testing and at follow up (P