According to research, the reduction in odor may be the ‘most reliable indicator’ of Covid-19

“Our findings show that the loss of smell and taste is a very reliable indicator that someone is likely to have Covid-19 and if we are to reduce the spread of this epidemic, it should now be considered as a measure of self-sufficiency by governments globally. “Isolation, testing and contact tracing,” said Rachel Betterham of University College London and University College London Hospitals, who helped lead the study team, in a news release on Thursday.

Of the 567 people who were tested, 77.6% tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies. Researchers at the journal P.O.O.S. Medicine reports that, in total, 80.4% of those who reported odor loss and 77.8% of them reported loss of taste.

About 40% of those who tested positive for antibodies did not have a fever or cough.

Betterham and colleagues also found that participants with odor loss alone were nearly three times more likely to have tasting Covid-19 antibodies than patients, and participants with combined odor and taste loss were four times more likely. There are antibodies.

“These findings suggest that odor loss is a very distinctive feature of Covid-19, despite its comparable frequency, in contrast to taste loss.”

The study recruited its volunteers between April 23 and May 14, at the time of the Covid-19 outbreak in London. These findings come with some limitations, including a comparison group of people who did not lose their sense of smell and / or taste.

At the time, a government statement said “all individuals should self-isolate if a new persistent cough or fever or fever or incontinence develops.”