About COVID-19 and your loss of smell and taste

One potential symptom of COVID-19 is loss of smell or taste. An August 2020 review of 24 studies estimated a prevalence of 41 percent and 38.2 percent for loss of smell and taste, respectively.

Loss of smell and taste is also associated with mild COVID-19. A January 2021 study evaluated this symptom in 1,363 people with COVID-19.

Researchers observed loss of smell and taste in 85.9 percent of people with mild illness compared to 4.5 to 6.9 percent of people with moderate to severe illness. This symptom disappeared in 95 percent of individuals within 6 months.

“I felt a little congested, but nothing more than allergies could cause. Then I realized one afternoon I could no longer smell my coffee, so I got tested. The rapid test came back positive.”

— Jay, 39

The loss of smell and taste is more common in women and younger to middle-aged individuals.

Loss of smell and taste due to COVID-19 can happen without having a runny or stuffy nose. Additionally, data from an August 2020 review suggest that this symptom may appear prior to other symptoms of COVID-19.