Although the covid-19 pandemic has remained relatively under control, it is not over yet and it is important to know that around 27 million people in the world still suffer from the effects of this disease.
According to research published August 17 in The BMJa medical journal of the British Medical Association, about five percent of people who have had covid-19 report smell and taste dysfunction six months after infection.
The magazine noted that approximately 550 million people have reported contracting the virus worldwide, making that five percent an estimated 27 million.
Stanford University rhinologist Dr. Zara Patel told NBCnews that having these cases of people unable to smell or taste is a new public health crisis.
The report also notes that 75 percent of people in groups observed by researchers around the world regained their sense of smell and taste within a month.
In addition, they added that it is important for patients to sniff and try to identify a sequence of four strong odors for 15 seconds twice a day for a few months. These scents could be roses, eucalyptus, lemon and clove.
These data come after researchers in January of last year discovered that olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of covid-19, accounting for almost 86 percent of mild cases.