New long-term effect of COVID-19 discovered: Study reveals what many people don't even notice

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Do you remember the early days of the pandemic, when “I can’t taste anything anymore!” suddenly became a typical phrase after a positive test? Loss of smell and taste was considered one of the most evident signs of a COVID-19 infection. For most people, these senses returned after a while, or at least they thought they did. But now an extensive US study shows that many people still have a reduced sense of smell without even realizing it.

As part of the RECOVER-Adult research project, 3,525 adults were examined over several years. Around 2,956 of them had COVID-19, while around 570 had never been infected. All participants took the UPSIT test: an internationally recognized smell test with 40 different scents.

Around 80 percent of those who reported smell problems also showed a measurable impairment in the test.

But even two-thirds of those infected without any symptoms had impaired smell perception—they didn’t notice it.

Even among those who were not infected, around 60 percent showed slight impairments, albeit significantly less pronounced.

In other words, many people still have an invisible remnant of their coronavirus infection; they smell worse without knowing it.

When smell and thinking are connected

Exciting (and somewhat unsettling): The researchers found a link between smell disorders and concentration problems. About two-thirds of those affected with a reduced sense of smell reported brain fog, i.e., memory or concentration difficulties. This could indicate that COVID-19 not only affects the nose but also influences processes in the brain.

Smells such as lemon, grass, licorice, and watermelon were particularly difficult to recognize—not exotic scents, but everyday smells. This shows that the disorder not only affects certain types of scents but is widespread.

What this means for the future

Even though many have long since returned to normal, this study reminds us that COVID-19 still has after-effects that are easily overlooked in everyday life. Because smell disorders are apparently also related to mental performance, the researchers are calling for the sense of smell to be given greater consideration in medical aftercare, especially for people who often feel exhausted or unable to concentrate.