“Smell does not return” Corona sequelae Endless fear May 7, 20:04

Many

people suffer from symptoms that appear to be sequelae even after being infected with the new coronavirus and recovering from

"the sense of smell does not return" and "the general malaise continues"

.

A woman in her thirties who is worried that her physical condition will recover even after three months have passed since the end of her medical treatment period.

Women especially want the same younger generation to be aware of the fear of illnesses that do not end in "mild".

(Ohayo Nippon Broadcasting Station reporter Shiori Sugimoto / Good morning Japan reporter Daiki Sugiyama)

High fever in the 38 degree range "The smell of coffee has disappeared"

"I drink coffee every morning, but the smell of that coffee disappeared from the morning, and the smell of body cream and perfume with a strong smell disappeared, so I was very anxious."

This is a woman in her thirties who lives in Osaka prefecture.

Last December, it was discovered that a relative was infected with the new coronavirus.

The woman had a fever in the 37-degree range, so she immediately went to a medical institution and was found to be positive two days later.

Initially, the only symptoms were muscle aches and mild coughs, but it is said that olfactory abnormalities began to appear after the day when a high fever in the 38 degree range appeared.

Fortunately, the woman had no symptoms such as pneumonia and returned home after 10 days of accommodation at the hotel.

At that time, his sense of smell continued to be abnormal, but after returning home, he felt that his symptoms gradually recovered over time, and he was relieved to stroke his chest.

One month after the infection, the smell of coffee again ...

However, more than a month after the infection, in mid-January, when she tried to drink her daily coffee, the woman noticed something unusual.

A woman in her thirties

"I have lost my sense of smell again. It's completely zero, it doesn't mean that it doesn't smell at all, but it feels like it smells when you carefully put a cloth or something on your nose at 0 distance."

At the same time, a woman who also developed symptoms such as malaise, general muscle pain, and headache.

When the symptoms of malaise and headaches overlapped, I couldn't move out of bed, which hindered my work at home.

"I don't know where to consult"

He says he doesn't know where to go for consultation even if he wants to go to a medical institution.

A woman in her thirties

"I searched the internet to see if there was a hospital that could deal with the aftereffects of corona, but it seems that there aren't many in Osaka, so I feel like I'm looking for information on SNS or the internet. The cause is the cause and there is no solution. I wonder if

The reality is that few medical institutions are accepting people who complain of symptoms that appear to be sequelae, and many people, like women, feel that they do not know where to consult.

The voices of confusion and anxiety of such people are also overflowing on the Internet.

Days when I was worried about recovery ... "I was looking sweet"

Elderly parents who lived with the woman were also infected with the new corona, but only one woman had what appeared to be a sequela.

When I hear about it more than three months after the infection, it is said that women feel that their sense of smell has recovered to about 70%, but they continue to be anxious about whether or not they will recover completely.

Women are especially urging the same younger generation to know the fear of the new corona, which does not end in "mild".

A woman in her thirties

"I was infected with corona and I didn't get so serious, but I didn't expect the aftereffects to continue. Without my sense of smell, I wouldn't have any fun in my life and gas leaks. I can no longer detect such dangers, and I'm worried that I'll recover in the future.

"Sequelae" that are often unknown

Many things are still unknown about the aftereffects of the new corona, and a research group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is conducting an investigation to understand the actual situation.

Under such circumstances, it is said that many clinics in Tokyo, which have outpatient clinics specializing in sequelae, come to complain of new symptoms even after they are said to have "recovered".

Here are the symptoms of sequelae analyzed by Dr. Koichi Hirahata, the director of a clinic that has an outpatient clinic specializing in sequelae.

▽ Malaise 94% ▽ Depression

87%

▽ Decreased thinking ability 83%

▽ Headache 81%

▽ Suffocation 77%

▽ Body pain 76%

▽ Insomnia 73%

▽ Smell disorder 51%

▽ Hair loss 50%

▽ Dysgeusia 44 %　

(Investigated 1368 people by medical examination Multiple answers As of April 3 Source "Hirahata Clinic")

"Depressed mood", "decreased thinking ability", and "hair loss" have sequelae in addition to the direct effects from the virus. In some cases, it seems that the stress caused by the lack of understanding from the surroundings, such as at home and at work, is the cause of the prolonged prolongation.

Dr. Hirahata said, "Even if people around you understand the pain of sequelae, it will be a mental support for those who suffer from sequelae. Don't worry alone, first consult a reliable family doctor." I'm talking to you.

Now that the number of people infected with the new coronavirus is increasing rapidly, I think it is necessary for each person to recognize the "fear" of this disease and to create an environment where they can consult immediately.

Osaka base broadcasting station reporter

Shiori Sugimoto

Good morning Japan reporter

Daiki Sugiyama