Smell loss is a neurological symptom of disease so why is it occurring in what has been thought to be a respiratory illness?
In the News:
Neurological effects of COVID-19. If you think coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) damages only the lungs, think again. In an article in Neurology Today, experts detail some of the possible neurological effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The article pointed to a report from three COVID-19–designated hospitals in Wuhan, China, where over 33% of patients with COVID-19 had neurological symptoms, including altered consciousness, evidence of skeletal muscle damage, and acute cerebrovascular disease. And these symptoms were more common with severe disease. What is unknown is whether these complications were caused by direct viral injury or secondary infections.
Neurologists are called upon to remain vigilant, especially with patients with severe disease and those in high-risk categories, including those aged 60 years and older and with underlying medical conditions (eg, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes). What’s more, patients with neurological diseases may be at high risk for severe COVID-19, including those with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and myasthenia gravis. Early reports show that some COVID-19 patients may have headaches, stiff necks, and muscle aches—symptoms that may all suggest viral meningitis. But, since pulmonary symptoms often overwhelm these patients and lead to death, brainstem involvement is hard to discern. For now, those with ALS and other condition that affect respiration should be counselled to stick to CDC recommendations for high-risk groups. Neurologists, be alert.
There are other articles of interest in the link:
neurobrief.mdlinx.com/2020/...
Be well and stay vigilant.
SE