Loss of Taste and Smell as Distinguishing Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019. (21st June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dawson, Patrick; Rabold, Elizabeth M; Laws, Rebecca L; Conners, Erin E; Gharpure, Radhika; Yin, Sherry; Buono, Sean A; Dasu, Trivikram; Bhattacharyya, Sanjib; Westergaard, Ryan P; Pray, Ian W; Ye, Dongni; Nabity, Scott A; Tate, Jacqueline E; Kirking, Hannah L
• Is Part Of: Clinical infectious diseases. Volume 72:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 682
• Page End: 685
• Publication Date: 2020-06-21
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- olfactory disorders -- taste disorders; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa799
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-4838

Abstract

Abstract: In a household study, loss of taste and/or smell was the fourth most reported symptom (26/42 [62%]) among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case patients and had the highest positive predictive value (83% [95% confidence interval [CI], 55%–95%) among household contacts. Olfactory and taste dysfunctions should be considered for COVID-19 case identification and testing prioritization.