Open AccessCharacteristic Temporary Loss of Taste and Olfactory Senses in SARS-CoV-2-positive-Individuals with Mild Symptoms
Author(s) -
Ricarda Maria Schmithausen,
Manuel Döhla,
Heidrun Schößler,
Christin Diegmann,
Bianca Schulte,
Enrico Richter,
A. M. EisHübinger,
Hendrik Streeck
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pathogens and immunity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2469-2964
DOI - 10.20411/pai.v5i1.374
Subject(s) - medicine , outbreak , sore throat , pediatrics , cluster (spacecraft) , covid-19 , respiratory tract infections , anosmia , demography , respiratory system , surgery , disease , virology , sociology , computer science , programming language , infectious disease (medical specialty)
SARS-CoV-2 infection has been characterized as an upper and lower respiratory tract infection with symptoms ranging from sore throat, cough, headache, and fatigue to a severe respiratory syndrome that requires intensive care [1-7]. Although a lower death rate has been recorded for SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to other recent coronavirus outbreaks, such as MERS or SARS, a compromised respiratory status on admission has been associated with fatal outcomes. Among the >1200 SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals in Germany to date, many of the diagnosed persons show mild symptoms to no clinical signs of infection. Here we describe the onset and characteristics of symptoms in a cluster outbreak after a carnival celebration in a small town in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia currently contributing 43% of the total number of infected individuals in Germany to date [8]. Among the nearly 500 individuals in domestic quarantine as ordered by the Local Health Authority at that time, we interviewed 41 randomly selected individuals with qPCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Inclusion criteria for the survey participation were: residents, positive for SARS-CoV-2 in pharyngeal swabs, ≥18 years of age, and confirmed informed consent. Median age was 40 years (IQR: 31-53, range: 18-82) and 51% were female. All persons examined had attended a carnival festivity also attended by the SARS-CoV-2positive index patient. All persons who attended this carnival festivity were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by the local health authorities 10 days later. Among survey participants, onset of symptoms began 12 days (IQR: 11-13) after probable infection and a median of 6 distinct symptoms (IQR: 4-8) were described.