The Loss of Taste and Smell from COVID-19

We all know this by now: COVID-19 causes a loss of smell (anosmia) and a diminished sense of taste in some people.

What this means is that the Sars-CoV-2 virus attacks the brain.

Recent brain imaging scans reveal acute coronavirus encephalitis, which indicates an infection in the brain. According to the scientist who posted these images on Instagram, the concern that prompted this patient to seek an evaluation was a loss of smell.

The scientist wrote on Instagram:

“COVID-19 is generally associated with mild upper respiratory tract infections, although it has been shown to have neuroinvasive properties. In vivo studies have shown that it may infect neurons and cause encephalitis.”