There is a relationship between smell and taste disturbances and coronavirus infection. These symptoms have been considered the best predictor of coronavirus infection, for this reason, it was decided to evaluate the predictive value of the smell and taste test and its association with the results of SARS-CoV-2 PCR-RT and rapid diagnostic tests. in the diagnosis of pathology. Methodology: 248 patients divided into 3 groups: asymptomatic, symptomatic without chemosensory disorders, and chemosensory disorders alone. All of them underwent SARS-CoV-2 PCR-RT, a rapid diagnostic test and a test of Venezuelan smell and basic taste at the beginning. Weekly follow-up with smell and taste test and SARS-CoV-2 PCR-RT until recovery. Results: 20.56% of patients had smell and taste disorders to a variable degree and were positive by SARS-CoV-PCR-RT. 2.15.3% of patients with chemosensory disorders were negative for COVID-19. The positive predictive value of the smell and taste test was 57.3; Sensitivity 41.13% and specificity 69.35%. There were no statistically significant differences by age, sex and chemosensory disorders. The predominant chemosensory disorder was the combination of mild hyposmia and hypogeusia and appeared in the company of other symptoms. Recovery occurred in an average of 8.5 days, asynchronously with the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR negativization, which occurred up to more than 15 days after the senses recovered. Maximum time of negativization of the RT-PCR of 34 days. Conclusion: chemosensory disorders are a symptom and / or sign of coronavirus disease but cannot be considered as predictors of said disease in this population studied. The gold standard remains the SARS-CoV-2 PCR-RT test. Rapid diagnostic tests should be used for follow-up. Recommendations: it is necessary to expand the sample, include routine psychophysical smell and taste tests to screen cases and take race and virus mutations into consideration to explain behavior in certain populations. Key words: Smell, taste, coronavirus, test, diagnosis.

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SUMMARYBackgroundSmell and taste disorders are reported very frequently and at an early stage in the evolution of the infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2. These symptoms could be sensitive and specific to establish the condition of the infection, and may suggest the flow of decisions as to further therapy. We asked whether smell and taste impairment are earlier and more sensitive symptoms than the RT-PCR molecular assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection.MethodologySubjects (N=275) with a probable COVID19 diagnosis were classified as follows: Symptomatic with chemosensory dysfunction, symptomatic without chemosensory dysfunction, and asymptomatic. Subjects received a general clinical and otorhinolaryngology examination. Evaluation of the chemosensory dysfunction was performed by means of the Venezuelan Olfactory Test and taste test. Nasal swabs and blood samples were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR) and a rapid diagnostic test to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus and antiviral antibodies, respectively. Patients had access to molecular tests and smell and taste evaluations every 3 to 5 days until they recovered.ResultsOut of 44 patients that were positive for RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2: 45.83% had smell and taste disorders and COVID19 symptoms, 23.61% did not have smell or taste disorders, but had COVID19 symptoms, and 30.55% were asymptomatic. Mild hyposmia and hypogeusia account for the most frequent chemosensory disorders accompanying common SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Time to recover from the chemosensory dysfunction ranges from 3 to 14 days, up to a maximum of 5 weeks, while RT-PCR becomes negative after 21 days and up to 35 days in some cases. The Venezuelan Olfactory Test and taste test has a 61.68% positive predictive value, 45.83% sensitivity, and 68.7% specificity for SARS-CoV-2 infection.ConclusionsSmell and taste disorders are frequent symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not a significant predictor of the disease, as compared to the molecular RT-PCR test.

ResumenFundamento: La pérdida de cabello se constituye como una alteración física que puede influir en la autoestima de mujeres con cáncer.Objetivo: Comprender los significados alrededor del tejido de pelucas oncológicas en mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer pertenecientes a un grupo de autoayuda en Cali (Colombia).Método: Estudio cualitativo de diseño fenomenológico interpretativo en el que participaron 10 mujeres. Los resultados preliminares se presentaron en dos grupos focales conformados por todas las integrantes del grupo, quienes contribuyeron en el análisis de los resultados recolectados previamente en las 10 entrevistas en profundidad. El análisis de los datos se realizó con el apoyo del programa Atlas.Ti.Resultados: Las participantes describieron la pérdida del cabello como una experiencia traumática de alto impacto emocional. El uso de accesorios les permitió ocultar y reservarse la enfermedad. Las motivaciones para vincularse al grupo se relacionaron con la oportunidad de compartir experiencias con otras pacientes y con el deseo de mejorar tanto su bienestar como el de mujeres con cáncer. Además, pertenecer al grupo les permitió contar con una red de apoyo en la que pudieron expresar sus miedos e inquietudes.Conclusiones: Aunque la caída del cabello no genera implicaciones funcionales para el organismo, se ha identificado que sobre esta Abstract Fundament: Losing hair is a physical change that could affect the self-esteem of women with cancer.Objective: Understand the meanings behind the sewing of medical wigs in women diagnosed with cancer belonging to a self-help group in Cali (Colombia).Methodology: Interpretative phenomenological qualitative study in which 10 women participated. Preliminary results were presented in two focus groups composed of all members of the group who contributed to the analysis of the previously results collected in the 10 interviews. The data analysis was done with the support of Atlas.Ti program.Results: Participants described hair loss as a traumatic experience that involved high emotional impact. The use of accessories allowed to hide and reserved the disease. The motivations for linking the group were related to the opportunity to share experiences with other patients and with the desire to improve well-being in themselves and in women with cancer. Also, belonging to the group allowed to have a support network where they could express their fears and concerns.Conclusions: Although hair loss does not generate functional implications for the organism, it has been identified that this part of the body is related to social representations Información de la investigación:Esta investigación fue financiada por Funcáncer y contó con la colaboración de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Los autores del artículo declaran no tener conflictos de intereses derivados de este trabajo.