ANOSMIA

The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention actions listed below follow the Academy’s extensive efforts on this issue, which include a public statement, the launch of a reporting tool for data collection, public outreach through substantial media coverage, and the publication of initial findings from the reporting tool. The Academy's initiatives were all done in a few short weeks demonstrating the strength of the otolaryngology community voice.

[May 4] The World Health Organization added "loss of taste or smell" to its list of "What are the symptoms of COVID-19?" on its Q&A page.

The World Health Organization added "loss of taste or smell" to its list of "What are the symptoms of COVID-19?" on its Q&A page. [April 17] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added “new loss of taste or smell” to the list of symptoms that may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus on its Symptoms page

[March 26, 2020] NEW! COVID-19 ANOSMIA REPORTING TOOL There is rapidly accumulating anecdotal evidence that anosmia with resultant dysgeusia are frequently reported symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar reports are surfacing from multiple countries around the world including the United States. In an effort to establish the significance of these symptoms in diagnosis and progression of COVID-19, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) has established the COVID-19 Anosmia Reporting Tool. This tool was developed by the AAO-HNS Infectious Disease and Patient Safety Quality Improvement Committees to allow healthcare providers of all specialties and patients worldwide to submit data to confidentially report on anosmia and dysgeusia related to COVID-19. Access the Reporting Tool>>

[March 22, 2020] Anosmia, Hyposmia, and Dysgeusia Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease Anecdotal evidence is rapidly accumulating from sites around the world that anosmia and dysgeusia are significant symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Anosmia, in particular, has been seen in patients ultimately testing positive for the coronavirus with no other symptoms. We propose that these symptoms be added to the list of screening tools for possible COVID-19 infection. Anosmia, hyposmia, and dysgeusia in the absence of other respiratory disease such as allergic rhinitis, acute rhinosinusitis, or chronic rhinosinusitis should alert physicians to the possibility of COVID-19 infection and warrant serious consideration for self-isolation and testing of these individuals.

[April 28, 2020] NOW PUBLISHED ONLINE! This manuscript was accepted for publicaiton in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery on April 10, 2020. [Short Scientific Communication] COVID-19 Anosmia Reporting Tool: Initial Findings Authors: Rachael Kaye, MD, CW David Chang, MD, Ken Kazahaya, MD, MBA, Jean Brereton, MBA, James Denneny, MD

PATIENT INFORMATION FROM ENThealth.org:

What You Should Know about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Questions about loss of smell and taste? Learn more from ENThealth.org