Headache and loss of sense of smell are the most common symptoms among European Covid-19 patients with a slight to moderate epidemic, according to a study that revealed that the virus takes different forms according to age or gender.
The study, published in the Journal of International Medicine, and included more than 1,400 people who were confirmed as a result of the examination, concluded that seven out of 10 patients had a headache and a sense of smell.
Other common symptoms were nasal obstruction (67,8%), cough (63,2%), fatigue (63,3%), muscle aches (62,5%), runny nose (60,1%), and loss of taste (54,2%) ). Only half of the patients (45.4%) had a fever.
The International Federation of Physicians' Ear, Nose and Throat (IOT) associations launched this first epidemiological study on European patients who suffered a slight infection with Covid-19 to assess the rate of symptoms of olfactory loss and taste, some of whom have complained since the outbreak in the European continent.
The preliminary results published early April showed the percentage of these symptoms, which studies in Asia have rarely mentioned.
The full study, which included five European countries (Italy, France, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland), confirms that the loss of the sense of smell is "one of the symptoms" of "Covid-19" and not only the result of a stuffy nose.
It also indicates that this phenomenon continues for at least a week after recovery in more than a third of patients (37.5%).
In a statement, Foch Hospital declared that "Covid-19's ability to attack the sense of smell, and thus the central nervous system, may be a thread" to explain its loss.
An epidemiological study that included 1,000 sailors from the aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" infected with "Covid-19" published results today Wednesday, the Ministry of Armies, that the loss of sense of smell (57.4%), headache (56.7%) and loss of taste (46.4) % Of the major symptoms are followed by fatigue (46,3%), muscle pain (45,2%), and fever (44,8%).
However, loss of sense of smell and taste was rarely reported in studies of Chinese patients who mainly complained of fever, coughing and shortness of breath as symptoms of "Covid-19".
Research conducted by the International Federation of Associations of Ear, Nose and Throat Physicians considers that this discrepancy may explain that Chinese studies included patients treated in hospital with more serious injuries. It also assumes that a genetic mutation of the emerging corona virus may be behind the asymmetry of symptoms.
A Korean study published last week did not monitor the loss of sense of smell or taste except in 15.7% of the total of 2300 patients who were slightly affected by the epidemic or had no symptoms. It also indicates that the average time period within which it disappears is seven days, and may last up to 40 days.
The study also indicated that the frequency of symptoms varies according to age and gender.
Young patients have symptoms related to ear, nose and throat, while the elderly often complain of fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite.
Men develop more coughs and fever, and women lose their sense of smell, headache and stuffy nose.