Is it normal to lose smell with a cold

Is It a Cold or COVID? 

Since the very beginning days of COVID, scientists in China found a frequent connection between the virus and the loss of smell.

When you experience a loss of smell, or anosmia, you may jump to the conclusion that you have been afflicted with the Coronavirus but it may very well be as simple as a run-of-the-mill cold.

However, it’s important that you take some precautions until you know for sure. It’s recommended that you get tested for COVID-19 and that you isolate until you receive your results to prevent possibly spreading the illness. 

More than half of those with COVID are experiencing this symptom, and it’s often the first — and sometimes only — symptom they get. Even those who are asymptomatic oftentimes experience this subtle side effect.

Why Did I Lose My Sense Of Smell?

The sense of smell comes from the top of the nose. As we continue learning about the Coronavirus, we’ve found that the virus attaches to all parts of the nose, creating inflammation and causing damage. Similarly, with the common cold, anosmia is caused by swelling or blockage that prevents odors from reaching this part of the nose. 

And because your sense of smell is connected to your sense of taste, this is a related indicator that something may be wrong. It’s important that you take action if you notice a loss or dulling of these senses.

I Lost My Sense Of Smell...Is It Permanent?  

Understandably, people experiencing a loss of the sense of smell want to know how long it’s going to last. In some severe cases the loss of smell can be permanent, however studies are showing that most people regain their sense of smell within a few weeks or months.

A permanent loss may be unlikely, however, it can have a devastating impact on your life. Imagine not being able to decipher if your milk has gone bad by using taste and smell. Or something more serious, like smelling the smoke of a house fire or a gas leak. Your sense of smell is something not to be taken for granted.

Loss of Smell: What To Do Next   

Again, if you're experiencing any symptoms, it’s important that you take action and get tested for COVID and quarantine yourself until you get your results back. 

You can be born with anosmia, but there are many things that can cause it throughout life. These include:

Some people never find out what caused them to lose their sense of smell.

If you have a cold or flu, your sense of smell will usually come back within a week or 2. Otherwise, it's a unpredictable — in some cases, anosmia can be permanent.

If a person has a partial sense of smell, it's called hyposmia. Many things — including smoking, a cold or flu, depression, schizophrenia, seasonal affective disorder and ageing — can cause hyposmia.

How anosmia affects you

Obviously, if you have anosmia, you can't smell anything. But because the sense of smell is so closely connected to the sense of taste, you may find that food tastes bland. This can really affect your enjoyment of life, particularly if your social and family life revolves around meals. It can also make it hard for you to be bothered to eat and drink.

You might fear that you won't be able to notice a dangerous smell, like gas or smoke. You might worry about eating something that's spoiled. Some people living with anosmia can feel depressed.

See a doctor if you lose your sense of smell. If you feel depressed, speak to your doctor or call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Anosmia diagnosis

Your doctor might refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Tell the specialist when and how you think you lost your sense of smell.

The specialist might examine you nose with a medical instrument called an endoscope and ask you to identify different tastes and smells with a test kit. They might ask you to have a computed tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic image resonance (MRI) scan, or have a blood test.

Anosmia treatment

Treatment depends on why you lost your sense of smell. It can involve:

• nasal sprays and steroid pills
• antihistamines
• antibiotics
• an operation, e.g. to remove nasal polyps
• reducing your exposure to chemicals and other causes

You might get your sense of smell back without treatment, although it might take several weeks or months. Sometimes there is no treatment available.

Anosmia prevention

Avoiding certain chemicals, certain drugs, and not smoking might help prevent you losing your sense of smell.

Also, since anosmia can be one result of sustaining a brain injury, it's yet one more reason to be extra careful when playing dangerous sports, driving, or taking part in similar risky activities.