Anosmia in COVID-19 Patients at a Health Center in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is one of the viruses that has been spreading globally since 2019. AIM: This research aims to see how common anosmia is among COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study with a consecutive sample and quantitative descriptive design was utilized to collect data by spreading questionnaires on patient experiences COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 was detected by RT-PCR at a Health Center in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. RESULT: A total of 124 persons tested positive for COVID-19. The remaining 59% experienced no anosmia or smell issues. Anosmia was present in 40.3% of those examined, 57.3% of those tested had no anosmia before or after the RT-PCR test and 31.5 had it before being diagnosed with COVID-19. Less than 5 days, 13.7% of those who had recovered, whereas 22.6% had more than 5 days to recover. CONCLUSION: People who were diagnosed as COVID-19 positive using the RT-PCR test had the symptom earlier than those who reported anosmia after diagnosis, according to when they first reported it.