Archive · 2 Oct 2025
Study: COVID-19 May Cause Permanent Loss of Smell
COVID-19 can cause you to lose your sense of smell, like you can't smell flowers or food.
Some people may never get their smell back.
A study looked at people who lost their smell due to the virus and found that many still couldn't smell things even two years later.
This can make it hard to do everyday things, and may affect what you eat or even keep you safe, as you won't be able to smell smoke or gas.
COVID-19 has infected millions and caused various symptoms.
Some COVID-19 symptoms persist long after the initial infection.
Loss of smell may be a permanent symptom for some individuals.
A study found 80% of those with smell loss had poor scent detection two years later.
The virus causes inflammation in the olfactory system.
- Who
- Researchers at the National Institutes of Health
- What
- A study on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the sense of smell
- When
- Two years after COVID-19 infection
- Where
- N/A
- Why
- To determine if loss of smell due to COVID-19 is permanent
- Study Focus
- Long-term impact of COVID-19 on smell
- Key Finding
- Loss of smell may be permanent for some
- Percentage with Impaired Smell
- 80% of those who lost smell performed poorly on scent tests two years post-infection