TCM analysis and strategy for COVID-19 associated loss of smell and taste

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is caused by SARS-CoV2 and is still not yet under complete control and no cure is available until this moment.It is still unpredictable to expect vaccination available worldwide in the near future.Early diagnosis hence becomes extremely important.Various papers have proven that early identification of loss of smell and taste is of significance in the diagnosis of this disease.Some patients of COVID-19 may carry on suffering from loss of smell and taste even long after the other symptoms of the infection subside.The aetiology,pathology,and mechanism of loss of smell and taste are discussed in this article,pointing out that impairment of meridians,disturbed Brain-Shen and dysfunction of the Zang-Fu organs are the key pathology of loss of smell and taste by COVID-19.Traditional Chinese medicine resolution with acupuncture and Chinese herbs are therefore demonstrated accordingly,aiming to establish some practical and effective strategies to deal with loss of smell and taste.This unique presentation in the treatment illustrate that even though loss of smell and taste being a single symptom,it requires a profound understanding on the complicated and sophisticated background mechanism of the COVID-19,which is urgently in need of comprehensive treatment in time.Loss of smell and taste by COVID-19 is not only a minor suffering of the infection,but also a very critical part of a fully recovery of COVID-19,it shall not be left untreated.

Effect of drug therapies on self-reported chemosensory outcomes after COVID-19

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the relative efficacy of medications used following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)infection on self-reported alterations in taste and/or smell function.Methods:Seven hundred and fourteen persons with self-reported postcoronavirus disease 2019(post-COVID-19)chemosensory disorders were personally interviewed regarding specific medications they were administered following the acute phase of the disease.The dependent measure—self-reported total recovery of chemosensory symptoms—was subjected to stepwise logistic regression.Independent predictors included demographic and clinical variables,in addition to specific medications used to mitigate disease symptoms(i.e.,systemic corticosteroids,oseltamivir,vitamin C,ibuprofen,hydroxychloroquine,azithromycin,ivermectin,nitazoxanide,anticoagulants,and zinc).Results:The median time between COVID-19 symptom onset and the interviews was 81 days(interquartile range:60-104).Of the 714 subjects,249(34.9%)reported total recovery of their chemosensory function;437(61.2%)had at least one treatment since the beginning of the disease.Women and those with more comorbidities had undergone more treatments.The recovery rates of the treated and nontreated groups did not differ significantly.Nonetheless,respondents who had used nitazoxanide tended to have a higher rate of self-reported taste or smell recovery.Those who took oral zinc were less likely to improve.Conclusions:No medication employed during the first months after SARS-CoV-2 infection had a clear positive effect on returning self-reported smell or taste function to normal,although nitrazoxide trended in a positive direction.Oral zinc had a negative effect on the reported recovery of these senses.