Covid-19: When nothing tastes good anymore

One of our most important senses – smell. Without smell there is no taste, without taste there is no pleasure. Many former Covid-19 patients share this fate, some of whom have still not regained their sense of smell and taste after months. Food becomes bland mush, with only a little bit of sweetness and salt left. A worrying development that is being scientifically investigated in Nice.

Evan, eighteen year old sports student, is tested.

The scientists in Nice work closely with perfumers in the nearby town of Grasse, famous for its perfume making.

Even before the pandemic, the scientists had used fragrances to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Soothing fragrances are also used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress.

For most patients, the problems are temporary and often improve on their own within a few weeks. A small minority, however, complain of persistent disorders long after the other COVID-19 symptoms have disappeared. In rare cases, complete or partial loss of odor persists for up to six months after infection.