Olfactory acuity test while pre-symptomatic for COVID-19

Abstract

An easily-constructed and self-administered olfactory acuity test for pre-symptomatic indication of infection by COVID-19 is described. This paper offers a simple test of smell threshold, which can be made and conducted at home and re-tested on oneself or others sharing isolation, and producing numerical data to indicate whether smell ability has decreased. During the COVID-19 pandemic, and until a vaccine is developed and available, becoming aware immediately of a loss of the important chemical sense, olfaction, can signal sufficient concern in individuals to self-isolate for the requisite period. The risk of COVID-19 spreading through communities can be reduced by promoting smell awareness by everyone, using simple, inexpensive measures, suggested in this paper.