Anosmia in Covid-19 Patients: Prognosis,  Symptom Associations, and Recovery Follow-up

Zeena Jamal  Alkhazraji; Ali Jameel  Alhaideri; Shatha Ahmed  Alshami; Israa Dawood  Salim

Zeena Jamal Alkhazraji Lecturer, MBChB, FIBMS, Family Medicine, Middle Technical University, Medical Technical Institute, Al-Mansur, Iraq
Ali Jameel Alhaideri MBChB, FIBMS, ENT, Ministry of Health, Alimamain Alkadhimain Teaching Hospital
Shatha Ahmed Alshami Assistant Professor, MBChB, Master Community Health, Middle Technical University, Medical Technical Institute, Al Mansur, Iraq
Israa Dawood Salim Lecturer, Master community health, Middle Technical University, Medical Technical Institute, Al-Mansur, Iraq.

Keywords: Anosmia, Covid-19, Olfactory Dysfunction, Diarrhoea

Abstract

Background: Anosmia and loss of taste are among the cardinal symptoms of active COVID-19 infection. Fever, as well as respiratory symptoms with different percentages of gastrointestinal symptoms, were common clinical manifestations of these viral infections. The study aimed to describe anosmia/hyposmia in confirmed COVID-19 patients and its association with other systemic symptoms and patterns of recovery.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Imamain Al-Kadimain Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. In 2021. (218) COVID-19 patients that attended outpatient of E.N.T department at this hospital were confirmed by RT-PCR test.

Results: Out of 218 positive cases, 130 patients (59.6%) were suffering from anosmia. The most common symptoms among patients were fever (64.7%), headache (49.5%), fatigue (46.8%), dizziness (4.4%), and myalgia (38.1%). 54 (41%) anosmic patients recovered within less than three months, and 40 (31%) anosmic patients recovered within three to six months. There was a significant association between anosmia, time of recovery with age and gender of patients. Anosmia is a common presentation in COVID-19 confirmed cases, and it's usually associated with other clinical manifestations like fever, diarrhea, cough, and fatigue.

Conclusion: This study concluded that Anosmia and other smell issues are among the most often reported symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

Keywords: Anosmia, Covid-19, Olfactory Dysfunction, Diarrhoea

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202602

How to cite this article:
Alkhazraji Z J, Alhaideri A J, Alshami S A, Salim I D, Anosmia in COVID-19 Patients: Prognosis, Symptom Associations, and Recovery Follow-up. J Commun Dis. 2026;58(1):9-17.

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