Loss of taste and smell

[Idontneedausername]

I'm a long time lurker, never posted before but I need help!

5 days ago I woke up without being able to smell or taste. I havent had a cold/flu, haven't had any sinus infections as far as i am aware. I thought maybe I was going to get a cold as I usually lose my tastebuds then but nothing has happened. No cold or flu, no cough or temperature, slight scratching of the throat but that comes and goes.

I Googled (yes I know!) And came across loss of taste and smell being a possible symptom of Covid19 but it's not on the "list" I've tried to contact GP incase it is (hopefully!) Just a sinus infection but cant get passed the receptionist!! She did say to go online on nhs111 but that just says to call GP...
Given the circumstances at the moment I dont want to call 111 as it's not exactly an emergency but I am worried taste and smell wont come back.

Anyone had this or know anyone that has? Can someone point me in the direction of what to do next?

Are you a key worker? If not, you are supposed to be staying at home anyway, so it doesn’t really matter why does it?

@solsum Any need for the harsh reply?? Of course it matters to ME my sense of taste and smell has gone and I'm worried it will be permanent. I simply asked if anyone has experienced it or knows of someone!!

And I'm staying home, just as I have for the last couple of weeks as I have a child who has severe asthma, or are you going to tell me that doesnt matter either?

Its a symptom of covid19. I would assume you have the virus and you and your family selfisolate for 14 days. There is a WIDE variety of symptoms and lots of people have testd positive with just aches and pains and a headache. I am sure it will pass soon but do your bit to flatten the curve

I’m sorry, tone doesn’t come across well by text. I understand you are worried, but it isn’t an emergency. As you have found, it can be a symptom. All you can do is keep an eye on it, and watch out for other symptoms in you and your DD, and if any develop to the point you or your DD are really struggling, then 111 will be able to advise you. As you are already staying at home, that is all you can do at the moment.

I'm doing all the right things dont worry! I have no plans to even set foot in a supermarket and have plans in place to get deliveries from friends!

Wow this site is harsh. Think I'll go back to lurking...

Hi idontneed
It's absolutely natural that you are worried about your loss of smell and taste. They are symptoms of Corona, but it doesn't mean that you have it, as the symptoms could be caused by something else. Obviously, this is not an ideal time because you will find it very difficult to see a doctor. The best advice I can give you is try not to stress too much and see how the next couple of weeks goes. Hopefully this will not be a permanent condition, it's much more likely to be temporary. Good luck

@BovaryX. Thank you!!

No problem. One of the inevitable consequences of the current situation in the UK is that people who have legitimate, medical concerns which could be allayed by seeing a doctor are unable to do so. I really think that the most likely outcome is your loss of taste and smell is temporary and maybe completely unrelated to Corona. Do you have a blocked nose? Have you recently had any physical trauma to your nose?

In my country (Western Europe) we've had a specific information campaign that this is a sign of COVID19 as people weren't aware/it's only recently become clear. Best of luck and get well soon!

Loss of taste is a relatively recently discovered symptom of Corvid

Assuming it is a symptom of coronavirus in your case, the sense of smell and taste will return within days. Doctors have stated it is only a temporary effect.

There have been lots of cases of otherwise asymptomatic people who tested positive, whose only symptom was the loss of smell and taste. So assume you have coronavirus and behave accordingly as you can still pass the full-blown version to others even if that is your only symptom.

Don't waste your time or the NHS's by trying to confirm it on 111 or with your GP - they're not going to come and test you if that's your only symptom.

I dont have a blocked nose, or have had trauma to it, literally just no taste/smell. I guess I'm slightly more worried as my DS does have severe asthma and being a single mother it's impossible to isolate from him!

I'll just see how I go, I cant get tested so theres not much more I can do apart from wait it out. Thank you all.

Rest and treat yourself well OP. It does sound likely that it’s Corona, but if you’re handling it well then it’s likely your son who shares your dna and is younger will too. Lots of tlc for the both of you for the next two weeks x

Did ur smell & taste come back?
Ive got the same at the moment it is frustrating!

Happens in ~30% cases apparently.

@Chocqueen99 smell and taste are
still not back! Day 11 now! I did get a little glimpse of smell 2 days ago but it came to nothing!

Dh is on week 4 of CV. It’s been 3 weeks of no sense of smell or taste. He mentioned this morning it’s starting to slightly come back.

I did get a little glimpse of smell 2 days ago but it came to nothing!

This is hopefully a good sign this is temporary. Hope your DS is still well.

Me and partner have both experienced this. We had headaches a mild cold and then total loss of taste and smell for about 10-14 days.
Usually a cold would lessen smell and taste for maybe 2-3 days but this was something else. Total loss! It wasn't nice but it's back now.
And yes we isolated as soon as possible. Mine started BEFORE the news reported it was even a possible symptom!
Can't say we definitely had corona so of course we are following all guidelines.
Very strange though!

@AnyOld. Ds is still doing well! No symptoms of it, which I'm thankful for.

2 weeks of isolation is nearly up, but as theres no improvement, I'm wondering if I'm allowed to leave the house? I'm not a key worker so dont have to go to work but I would like to get my own shopping and stop relying on friends, although they have been great and don't mind. The thought of another 10+ days of this is horrible! It's the most surreal thing.

111 says I have a mild case of coronavirus - I've entirely lost sense of taste and smell. Literally nothing. 12 days in now. I'm following the NHS instructions. I will come back and let you know what happens.

I collected my daughter from Uni last week (she lives in shared halls) She's has absolutely no sense of smell for 10 days+. One of her closest student friends had a temp and cough last week just after they all returned home.
I'm frontline NHS and don't know what to do. Grrrrr!

@Secretsout - NHS111 and GPs are FINALLY excepting loss of taste and smell are mild symptoms of covid-19. In your shoes being frontline NHS I think I would call HR/manager and explain your DD is showing mild symptoms, having been around her I wouldn't be going into work and possibly spreading it further.

11 days later I still never got the high temp and/or cough only ever the loss of taste and smell!

I had it back in January for two weeks - apparently too early to be Covid 19. But you have my complete sympathy. It's very odd to entirely lose one sense overnight.

I didn't have a blocked nose or a cold, though I had bronchitis a few weeks before.

Rice was quite nice to eat, anything very crunchy or cold...but weird experience.

My normal taste/smell returned over a few days. I totally understand why you are worried about it.

@Idontneedausername

Hi! I feel your pain! I'm on day 16 of loss of taste and smell and it's driving me mad! I'm also pregnant so along with the emotions of that, I now want to cry every time I have to eat something! Just wondering if yours has come back yet? Hope so!