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Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Olfactory Effects of Airborne Pollutants — Buried Food and Social Odor Tests
Published on: September 13, 2024
Olfactory dysfunction and COVID-19
Rhea Choi1, Rupali Gupta1, John B Finlay2
1Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
COVID-19 can cause olfactory dysfunction, including loss of smell (anosmia) and smell distortions (parosmia). This review examines how SARS-CoV-2 affects the peripheral olfactory system and discusses patient management.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- The peripheral olfactory system is crucial for smell perception.
- COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is frequently associated with olfactory dysfunction.
- Anosmia and parosmia are common symptoms impacting quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19.
- To review the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 interaction with the olfactory system.
- To discuss current and future management strategies for post-COVID olfactory dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of human studies and animal models.
- Analysis of the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the olfactory system.
- Synthesis of clinical recommendations and research directions.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 can damage olfactory sensory neurons and supporting cells.
- Multiple mechanisms are proposed for viral-induced olfactory damage.
- Persistent olfactory dysfunction is a significant post-COVID-19 complication.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the mechanisms of olfactory dysfunction is key to developing effective treatments.
- Current management focuses on symptomatic relief and olfactory training.
- Further research is needed to elucidate long-term effects and therapeutic interventions.
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