Complete loss of smell

[BambooLanda]

I’ve had a virus for 3 weeks, it’s given me a cough/ sore throat/ runny nose/ loss of appetite and now as the gift that keeps on giving I have completely lost the ability to smell anything. I know that’s a Covid thing so wondering if it’s that rather than a bad cold as I had supsected.

Anyway, anyone know when I should be able to smell again? Weirdly I can still taste well just about. Enough to know if something is sweet or salty or bitter anyway.

Take a COVID test if you're curious.

Nobody calls tell you how long it'll take, it depends on your health, immune system, whatever virus you have and what treatment you undertake.

I was quite poorly last year. I took a Covid test and it was negative. But I completely lost my sense of smell. And generally I have very keen sense of smell.
I've got it back now but it took a few months for it to return. I read somewhere about sniffing strong smelling things to try and stimulate the olfactory nerve. I did some of that so that might or might not have helped.
It's quite amazing how you miss not being able to smell food.

I have lost mine on and off for years. The doctor said nothing they can do. It does come back now and then but took months.
Exercise sometimes helps with blood flow but doesn't always work.

Mine has never come back to anything like it was since covid years ago. I can smell something very occasionally but even if the cat has pissed on the bed and dh says it smells of piss I can’t smell it. Can’t smell food or perfume.

I’ve always lost my sense of smell/taste with a cold, Covid was nothing new for me.

It’s surprised me how much it’s upset me. I keep trying to sniff things around the house. Does everyone who has experienced this find that food also doesn’t taste as strong as it should? It’s completely killed my appetite.

This is me. I have no taste or smell and have lost pleasure in life as I love eating. It is soul destroying. The doctor was no help.

@Violashifts I’m sorry you are going through it. How long has it lasted for you?

There are loads of viruses and illness that can affect the sense of smell. Not just Covid

While COVID-19 is a well-known virus that can significantly impact the sense of smell (anosmia or hyposmia), several other viruses are also known to cause this symptom. These viruses primarily affect the upper respiratory tract and can damage the olfactory sensory neurons or cause inflammation that disrupts the sense of smell.
Here are some other viruses that can affect the sense of smell:

• Common cold viruses:
• Rhinoviruses: These are the most common cause of the common cold and can lead to a temporary loss or reduction in the sense of smell due to nasal congestion and inflammation.
• Other cold viruses: Other viruses that cause cold-like symptoms, such as some adenoviruses and enteroviruses, can also affect the sense of smell.
• Influenza viruses: Both influenza A and B viruses can cause anosmia or hyposmia, usually temporarily.
• Parainfluenza viruses: These viruses, which can cause a range of respiratory illnesses, can also impact the sense of smell.
• Other coronaviruses: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, other human coronaviruses were known to cause colds and, in some cases, affect the sense of smell.
• Herpes viruses: In some instances, herpes simplex virus (HSV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

the duration and severity can vary. the sense of smell can return as the illness resolves. However, in some instances, the loss of smell can be prolonged (post-viral anosmia).

Since 2019. It goes for months and comes back and an off. It never lasts all day maybe a few hours.
Currently been a month. I just want to know what is is. But no chance of that.