Sudden onset of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is momentous marker

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting as global pandemic left no boundaries untouched worldwide. There are conglomerates of clinical and pathological presentation depending on population and geographic distribution. However amidst of such variable presentations, the sudden onset of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions, if present, remains the most consistent and reliable symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) infection. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions can be present either isolated or as a part of the spectrum of common symptoms such as fever, cough, dyspnea, and fatigue in COVID-19. The pathophysiology of olfactory and gustatory loss is thought to be due to the neural and cytopathic effect of SARS CoV-2 on nasal and tongue mucosa and olfactory neuroepithelium. This review intends to provide a concise description of recent evidence for structure, pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment for smell and taste dysfunction in SARS CoV-2-infected patients, subjected to further studies and research. Vigilant screening of anosmia and ageusia could probably be an important tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.