Introduction:
The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with high mortality and an exponential human-to-human transmission rate. Therefore identifying, testing and isolating possible cases is vital to reducing the disease burden.
Anosmia is often reported with several upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) but unlike these, SARS-COV2 is not associated with nasal blockage and discharge.1 Vaira et al suggested that chemoreceptor dysfunction occurred in >19% of their 320 COVID-19 cases and that this may be an early symptom or the only manifestation in otherwise asymptomatic patients.2However, a European multicentre study of 417 mild-moderate COVID-19 patients showed >85% of patients had olfactory or taste disorders (OTD).3 Following reports from abroad and anecdotal evidence in the UK, ENT UK recommended that anosmia be recognised as a marker of COVID-19 and as such, patients with this symptom be treated as suspected cases and should self-isolate.4,5
Based on Public Health England guidance, our hospital uses 3 cardinal symptoms to test and isolate patients and staff. These are a new dry cough, shortness of breath and fever >37.5C. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of potential symptoms of COVID-19, including OTDs in a UK-based population with confirmed infection. A better understanding could help identify potential cases and determine whether the ENT UK recommendation should be adopted locally, with a significant impact on patient triage and the clinical workforce.