Sense of smell

[Lovingmylife]

For those who lost their sense of smell, did you lose it 100% or were you able to sort of smell if you held things really close? I think mine is definitely dulled and I have a stuffy nose but I can smell if I hold things really close to my nose. I'm just questionning myself over everything at the moment.

I lost my sense of smell but tested negative, so not very helpful. But the advice is change of smell not just complete loss of smell. Have you had a test?

No I haven't as was just questionning whether it counted as losing if it's a change in smell not total loss. I'll book one now.

Yes - symptoms list change of smell or taste. You can order a postal test if it’s easier.

I lost my sense of taste and smell. It went suddenly, it was fine in the morning. I already knew I had COVID, didn't feel too well and had the raised temp and breathing problems, the loss of senses came well into the illness (about day 5 I think).

During the day I went to make a cup of tea and took something to eat from the fridge at the same time. It literally didn't taste of anything, only texture; so much so I thought there was something wrong with it and spat it out into the sink. Then I realised what must have happened and tried smelling strong things like fabric softener, garlic, spices in the spice jars.....couldn't smell a thing. Everything had been fine in the morning when I'd had breakfast.

For me it only lasted a few days and slowly returned. A family member lost their taste & smell and they never returned to normal and they had COVID in the summer. Some people have reduced sense of smell but can smell some things close up....

If I were you I would book a test as loss of these senses is a symptom, better to check.

Anyone I know who lost their sense of smell and taste, lost it completely. DH's niece hasn't got hers back yet and it was early summer last year when she caught it. Only now is she getting a flash of taste or smell.

In December I was worried because I lost mine one day so went into the kitchen and tried different things like a pinch of salt, onion or lemon. I tasted them a little, just nothing less strong. But a negative test later told me I was worrying for no reason. All the things I read that day in my panic pointed to complete loss for Covid.