Given that Americans are no longer subject to restrictions, how can you know when it is time to test for coronavirus? After all, all that mixing is almost certain to lead to numerous infections.
According to Professor Tim Spector’s Covid Symptom Study, the loss of smell is still the “clearest” indication of COVID-19.
Loss of smell, medically referred to as anosmia, has been a telltale indication of infection since the pandemic’s inception.
For those who are fully vaccinated, the top five most prevalent indications of Covid are as follows:
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell.
“It can be difficult to notice changes to your sense of smell as you go about your daily activities,” the researchers at the Covid Symptom Study said.
This is why four “distinctive” ingredients available at home can be used to assess your sense of smell.
You can test your sense of smell by sniffing:
- Coffee
- Garlic
- Coconut
- Orange.
If you are unable to smell one of these four common household items, it is recommended that you be tested for Covid.
If the rapid flow test shows a positive test result, you are then required to self-isolate and order a PCR test.
If the rapid flow test indicates a positive result, you need to self-isolate and request a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Additional symptoms include the following:
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Fever
- New, persistent cough.
The Covid Symptom Study showed that anosmia “is the best predictor of having COVID-19”.
However, “you can still be infected even if your sense of smell is perfectly normal”.
Another “strong predictor” of COVID-19 was “ageusia” – also known as loss of taste.
The research – conducted by King’s College London – revealed that somebody experiencing anosmia or ageusia were “17 times more likely to test positive for COVID” than someone who didn’t.
“What’s more, loss of smell or taste remained the best predictor of a positive test result regardless of a person’s age, sex, or illness severity,” the researchers added.
This is accompanied by a new continuous cough, and a high temperature.
COVID-19 is still a deadly disease, which needs to be taken seriously.
While vaccination has most definitely slowed down the number of hospital admission and deaths, cases are still rising.
It’s helpful to get into the habit of doing twice-weekly rapid flow tests, even if you don’t have any symptoms.
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