Half of first-wave Covid cases may have lasting harm to sense of smell

Early findings in Swedish study show range of chronic olfactory problems in people infected in 2020

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Nearly half of those who became ill with Covid in the first wave of infections may have long-term and even permanent changes to their sense of smell, according to preliminary research from Sweden.

A sudden loss of smell, or an impaired or distorted perception of odours, emerged as an unusual symptom of Covid early on in the pandemic. While many people swiftly recovered, others found that their sense of smell never quite returned to normal.