Fever with loss of smell brings back Covid fears

Kolkata: Hospitals in Kolkata are witnessing fever patients, suffering from loss of smell. These patients are asking for Covid test and caught in panic. Such testing facilities for Covid have been stopped at most of the health facilities.
Doctors believe such a symptom, which was common among Covid patients, could have been caused due to a viral infection. They believe the virus that is now obstructing or damaging the nasal sensory or olfactory nerves may have undergone mutation.Doctors said rhinovirus and adenovirus, which are now in circulation, are causing infections in the upper respiratory tract. Due to such infections, patients are suffering from congestion in the chest and nasal passage, leading to loss of smell. At Charnock Hospital, patients infected with rhinovirus, metapneumo virus, and para-influenza virus sought treatment in the past few weeks. "Any infection in the upper respiratory tract affects respiratory cilia that clear mucus and help in breathing. Once it is affected, some patients suffer post-viral olfactory dysfunction, induced by damage to the olfactory epithelium. It led to a scare among patients. But many of them could smell again in about two or three days," said Soumya Sengupta, head of pulmonology at the hospital. BP Poddar Hospital also saw many patients with flu-like symptoms and viral fevel. "What appears to influenza in the beginning, may get severe occasionally. In some cases, isolation and monitoring may be needed," said Abhijit Aich Bhaumik, a consultant at the hospital. "One possible reason is viral mutation or genotype variation. In some cases, it takes more time for the patient to recover due to secondary infections caused by bacteria," Bhaumik added. "It is usually a self-limiting condition. But if the patient continues to suffer for over 15 to 20 days, a doctor must be consulted. The patient may be suffering from allergies or a polyp," said MS Purkait, medical superintendent of Techno India DAMA Hospital. In case of bacterial superinfection, broad-spectrum antibiotics are often used, said Bhaumik, adding that those might not always be effective, especially when the primary cause remains viral. "Indiscriminate use of antibiotics may lead to resistance. Clinical evaluation, timely investigations, supportive therapy, and close monitoring are important. With proper treatment, most patients recover well. Multidisciplinary care may be needed in some cases," he added. According to Sayan Chakrabarty, an infectious diseases physician at Manipal Hospitals, the blockage of nasal passage for a long period can be caused due to common cold or flu. However, Chakrabarty said that was not similar to the loss of smell experienced by patients infected with Corona virus.