Smell and taste loss has been validated as a COVID-19 infection symptom in patients with high recovery rates, according to investigators.

Among 1,480 patients with flu-like symptoms surveyed, those who had smell and taste loss were more than 10 times more likely to have a COVID-19 infection than another cause of infection, reported lead researcher Carol Yan, M.D., from UC San Diego Health.

“The most common first sign of a COVID-19 infection remains fever, but fatigue and loss of smell and taste follow as other very common initial symptoms,” said Yan, an otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon.

Sensory loss was typically profound, not mild. However, the smell and taste recovery rate was high and often occurred within two to four weeks of infection. In addition, survey respondents most often had milder forms of COVID-19 infection and did not require hospitalization or intubation. 

The findings underline the importance of identifying early symptoms. This can help to contain the spread of the infection by people who are recuperating in the community, Yan and colleagues concluded. 

Full findings were published Sunday in the journal International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology.