Loss of Smell and Taste Among Healthcare Personnel Screened for Coronavirus 2019.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Russell Kempker, Emory University; Jordan Kempker, Emory University; Marcia Peters, Emory University; Paulina Rebolledo, Emory University; Kelley Carroll, Grady Health System; Linda Toomer, Grady Health System; Yun F (Wayne) Wang, Emory University; Susan Ray, Emory University; Mary Hunter, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-04-08
• Publisher: Oxford
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa877
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Clin Infect Dis
• Volume: 72
• Issue: 7
• Start Page: 1244
• End Page: 1246
• Keywords: Anosmia; Humans; Delivery of Health Care; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Coronavirus; healthcare personnel; smell; Olfaction Disorders; screening; Taste
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Health Care Management; Biology, Virology

Abstract

Among 283 symptomatic healthcare personnel (HCP) tested for SARS-CoV-2, 51 (18%) were positive. Among those 51 HCP, self reported loss of smell and taste were present in 51% and 52.9%, respectively, with either present in 60.8%. These symptoms had high specificity (93% each, 96% for either) for a positive SARS-CoV-2 test.