Dryness and discomfort in the nose is the very first symptom of coronavirus infection. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the University of Barcelona, RIA Novosti reports.
It is noted that this symptom appears before the infected person stops smelling. Scientists proceeded from the hypothesis that the loss of smell in COVID-19 is associated with the cessation of the work of goblet cells, which help the molecules of odorants – substances responsible for odors – to adhere to the corresponding receptors.
Human studies have shown that about 70 percent of COVID-19 early-stage subjects complained of a “strange sensation” and dry nose, and half of the participants compared the sensation to having a nasal lavage. These symptoms lasted an average of 12 days and coincided in time with or preceded the loss of smell and taste.
On November 24, Natalya Pshenichnaya, Deputy Director for Clinical and Analytical Work of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, revealed the most common symptoms of coronavirus. According to her, when infected, the body temperature rises in 78 percent of patients, and a cough occurs in 57 percent of citizens. At the same time, these signs of the disease are typical for both mild and severe coronavirus. In more than half of patients, the temperature does not rise above 38 degrees.
Earlier, Pshenichnaya indicated the average period of loss of smell in coronavirus. Coronavirus-infected Russians lose their ability to smell and taste for eight days on average, she said. This symptom is recorded in 87 percent of infections and is more common in women.
