Background: The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) called Wuhan novel human RNA coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in 2020. World Health Organization called it COVID-19. Mild to severe symptoms include fever, cough, dyspnea, and loss of smell and taste, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and mortality may result. Loss of smell and taste may indicate hidden carriers.
Aim: To quantify otorhinolaryngeal symptoms in PCR-positive COVID-19 patients over three months.
Methods: This prospective study on 80 PCR positive COVID-19 adults excluded certain patients and evaluated symptoms through detailed histories, physical exams, and specific smell and taste tests undertaking protective measures. Smell discrimination was graded using Pennsylvania smell kits, while taste function was assessed with solutions for sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes. Patients were categorized based on taste scores. Follow-ups occurred at discharge, and after fifteen, thirty, and ninety days, focusing on smell and taste sensation recovery.
Results: At admission, 90% had rhinorrhea, 83.8% fever, 65% taste dysfunction, and 90% smell dysfunction. Over time, normal smell increased from 10% to 60%, total anosmia decreased from 45% to 16%, smell scores improved significantly (p<0.001, 19 to 30), taste normalization rise from 20% to 65%, and ageusia decreased from 40% to 4%. Smell and taste were strongly correlated (p<0.001, Rho: 0.72-0.8).
Conclusion: COVID-19 presented with varied otorhinolaryngeal symptoms. Unique symptoms like loss of smell and taste usually resolve within three months, detectable by Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test for early diagnosis.