No abstract

Background:The aim of this study is to highlight anosmia as an important symptom to predict SARS-CoV-2 infection. The presentation of the disease commonly includes fever, cough, weakness, myalgia and breathlessness making anosmia a rare symptom. Methods:We included a total of 10 patients in the study who were between the age group of 18-70 years with the complaints of anosmia. Results:8 out of the 10 patients had come with fever and cough initially and developed anosmia later. However, 2 patients had presented to us with anosmia alone as the first symptom and then on further evaluation were found to be COVID-19 positive. The available clinical data was collected, recorded and the results were analyzed. Conclusion:Anosmia is a rare or late, but contributory symptom of the coronavirus disease. Thus, clinicians should keep in mind the diagnosis of COVID-19 while treating patients presenting with such atypical symptoms for early detection & in-time treatment of COVID 19 infection to prevent complications associated with the disease.

No abstract

No abstract

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19) originated in Wuhan, China and has increased rapidly globally, making it a global pandemic. It is proven to spread via respiratory droplets of positive patients. As we are not aware of the COVID 19 status of all patients coming to the OutPatient Department (OPD), it is advisable to consider every patient as COVID 19 positive and take the essential precautions to avoid infection. All health care workers, especially otorhinolaryngologists, respiratory medicine physicians, and general medicine physicians, are more exposed to the virus daily, as they work closely with COVID 19 positive patients while treating them. Otorhinolaryngologists deal with patients' nasal and oral cavities daily, making them one of  the most exposed categories of health-care workers. Thus, it is extremely important to remain vigilant when examining patients in OPD wards and performing surgeries in the operating room. Hence, proper knowledge is required of the healthcare system's guidelines in each country to prevent the spread of the infection in the medical and paramedical workers. As the disease is spreading rapidly and changing constantly, these recommendations and guidelines may change as the scenario changes. It is of utmost importance to remain up to date with the upcoming guidelines for our healthcare workers' safety. This article aims to provide an overview of guidelines for the safe practice of ENT that we follow in our tertiary care center, thus minimizing our exposure to COVID-19.