Recovering Taste and Smell: An Exploration of COVID-19 and Other Causes

Recovering Taste and Smell: An Exploration of COVID-19 and Other Causes

Loss of taste and smell, often referred to as anosmia and ageusia, are common symptoms of COVID-19. While most people regain these senses within a few weeks, some continue to struggle with these issues for months. Current research and treatments for long-lasting loss of taste and smell due to COVID-19 include various approaches, such as olfactory training, anti-inflammatory medications, omega-3 supplementation, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and even surgical options like functional septorhinoplasty (fSRP).

Olfactory Training

Olfactory training, a technique that involves repeated exposure to specific scents, is widely used to stimulate the recovery of smell. This method is believed to help rewire the brain's olfactory pathways and strengthen the connections between the nerves and the brain.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Steroid irrigation aims to reduce inflammation in the nasal and olfactory tissues, which may contribute to dysfunction. Anti-inflammatory medications can help alleviate swelling and promote healing.

Omega-3 Supplements

Studies have shown that omega-3 supplements, especially in high doses, can reduce persistent smell loss by mitigating inflammation over months. This was initially observed in skull-base surgery patients and has been replicated in COVID-19 cases.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

PRP injections represent a novel regenerative approach that has been studied recently for olfactory loss post-COVID. While more comprehensive studies are needed, PRP may be effective in treating smell and taste loss, especially for people with moderate yet persistent loss.

Functional Septorhinoplasty (fSRP)

A recent clinical trial on fSRP showed promising results, with 12 patients undergoing the surgery reporting smell improvement, while 13 controls doing only smell training did not improve and some worsened. This suggests surgery could be a potential option for long-lasting COVID-related anosmia.

Preventive Treatment

Research also points to the importance of preventive treatment with antiviral drugs like Paxlovid early after COVID infection. This may help reduce the risk of persistent symptoms.

The neurological basis of these symptoms is believed to be due to SARS-CoV-2 infecting neurons via the olfactory nerve and ACE2 receptors, causing inflammation and possibly neuronal loss. However, many patients improve spontaneously within months.

In conclusion, management of persistent loss of smell and taste from COVID-19 currently emphasizes a combination of sensory retraining, anti-inflammatory and regenerative therapies, with surgical interventions emerging as a promising option for refractory cases. If you or someone you know is experiencing ongoing loss of taste and smell, it's essential to seek medical advice after three weeks.

References:

[1] PubMed 40667921 (2025) – Olfactory and taste disorder prevalence and long-term persistence in COVID-19.

[2] Stanford CME 2025 – Treatments including olfactory training, steroids, omega-3, PRP, Paxlovid.

[3] PMC12316184 (2025) – Neural mechanisms and recovery timeline studies.

[4] LA ENT (2025) – Specialized treatment approaches for Long COVID anosmia.

[5] London ENT (2025) – Clinical trial of functional septorhinoplasty for long COVID anosmia.

1. Olfactory training, a technique to stimulate the brain's olfactory pathways, involves repeated exposure to specific scents.
2. Studies have observed improvement in long-lasting loss of smell through olfactory training, suggesting its effectiveness.
3. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as steroid irrigation, can help alleviate swelling and promote healing in the nasal and olfactory tissues.
4. Omega-3 supplements, especially in high doses, have shown to reduce inflammation and mitigate persistent smell loss for months.
5. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, a novel regenerative approach, are being studied for their potential in treating smell and taste loss due to COVID-19.
6. Functional Septorhinoplasty (fSRP), a surgical option, showed promising results in a recent clinical trial for long-lasting COVID-related anosmia.
7. Preventive treatment with antiviral drugs like Paxlovid, taken early after COVID infection, may reduce the risk of persistent symptoms.
8. SARS-CoV-2 is believed to infect neurons through the olfactory nerve and ACE2 receptors, causing inflammation and possibly neuronal loss.
9. Many patients with long-lasting loss of smell and taste improve spontaneously within months, without any specific treatment.
10. Management of persistent loss of smell and taste from COVID-19 currently emphasizes a combination of sensory retraining, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative therapies.
11. Surgical interventions like fSRP may be a promising option for refractory cases, as suggested by the clinical trial results.
12. It's essential to seek medical advice after three weeks if you or someone you know is experiencing ongoing loss of taste and smell.
13. Research on the long-term persistence of loss of smell and taste in COVID-19 is ongoing, as shown by the 2025 article published in PubMed.
14. Stanford CME 2025 provides information on treatments ranging from olfactory training and steroids to omega-3, PRP, and Paxlovid.
15. The article PMC12316184 (2025) discusses the neural mechanisms and recovery timeline studies related to loss of smell and taste.
16. LA ENT (2025) offers specialized treatment approaches for Long COVID anosmia.
17. London ENT (2025) conducted a clinical trial of functional septorhinoplasty for long COVID anosmia.
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