New Coronavirus Symptoms Revealed

Loss of smell (anosmia) and loss of taste (ageusia) have been added to COVID-19 symptoms, stated new research.

Loss of smell (anosmia) and loss of taste (ageusia) have been added to the list of coronavirus symptoms, revealed the Health Ministry.

The guideline says, "Loss of smell (anosmia) or loss of taste (ageusia) preceding the onset of respiratory symptoms has also been reported."

Anosmia | Loss Of Smell - Causes Symptoms Signs Diagnosis Treatment
Anosmia is the inability to perceive smell. Most patients with anosmia complain of losing the sense of taste (ageusia) and of not enjoying food.

‘Losing your smell and taste are early symptoms of COVID-19.’

Older people and immune-suppressed patients in particular may present typical symptoms such as fatigue, reduced alertness, reduced mobility, diarrhea, loss of appetite, delirium. Children might not have reported fever or cough as frequently as adults, said the Ministry.

"As per data from Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP)/Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) portal, case investigation forms for COVID-19 (15,366), the details on the signs and symptoms reported are (as on June 11, 2020), fever (27 per cent), cough (21 per cent), sore throat (10 per cent), breathlessness (8 per cent), weakness (7 per cent), running nose (3 per cent) and others (24 per cent)," says the guideline.

The Ministry said a patient with acute respiratory illness (fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease, e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and a history of travel or residence in a location reporting community transmission of COVID-19 during the 14 days prior to symptom onset can be a suspected case of COVID-19.

Loss of Taste - Symptom Evaluation
Symptom of loss of taste usually occurs in combination with loss of smell and can be complete loss or partial loss of taste. It can also be temporary or permanent, though the latter is very rare.

A patient with any acute respiratory illness and having been in contact with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case in the last 14 days prior to symptom onset and a patient with severe acute respiratory illness (fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease, e.g., cough, shortness of breath; and requiring hospitalization) and in the absence of an alternative diagnosis that fully explains the clinical presentation can also be a suspected case of coronavirus, as per the Health Ministry's new guidelines.

Clinical features of COVID-19 patients reporting to various COVID treatment facilities have so far reported the symptoms of fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, expectoration, myalgia, rhinorrhea, sore throat, diarrhea, etc.

Coronavirus
Coronaviruses infect animals, humans, and birds. Human coronaviruses, such as SARS, MERS, and 2019-nCoV cause respiratory distress and even death. The S protein is the infectious agent of the virus.

Source-IANS

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