Will My Sense of Smell Come Back After COVID?

If you or someone you know is coping with post-COVID anosmia—that is, a lingering loss or alteration in the sense of smell after recovering from COVID-19 infection—you’re definitely not alone. Loss of smell was one of the earliest and most widely reported symptoms linked to COVID-19, often surprising medical experts and patients alike. For many people, this symptom faded as the infection cleared. However, for a significant minority, this loss of smell persists for weeks, months, or even longer, leading to understandable frustration, anxiety, and many pressing questions: Will my sense of smell ever come back? What can I do to help recovery? How long does it usually take?

In this blog, we’ll explore what current research suggests about post-COVID anosmia. We’ll cover its symptoms, underlying causes, typical recovery timelines, treatment options, practical lifestyle tips, and address some commonly asked questions. Our goal is to provide you with clear, evidence-informed information that sets realistic expectations and offers encouragement and actionable tools for your recovery journey.

What Is Post-COVID Anosmia?

Anosmia is the medical term for the complete loss of the sense of smell. When it occurs after a COVID-19 infection and does not resolve quickly, it is often called post-COVID anosmia.

What makes post-COVID anosmia particularly striking is how directly COVID-19 appears to affect the olfactory system—the network of nerves and tissues responsible for detecting odors. Unlike other respiratory viruses, or even the common cold, which typically cause smell loss because nasal passages become congested and block odor molecules, COVID-19 often causes a loss of smell even when the nose feels clear and unobstructed.

How common is post-COVID anosmia? Studies estimate, based on current evidence, that approximately 88% of people recover their sense of smell within two months after COVID infection. However, research suggests that about 25% to 33% of people continue to experience some level of smell dysfunction for a longer period, sometimes extending beyond one year. This variation depends on factors such as the virus variant, individual immune response, and overall health. It is important to note that these figures vary between studies and populations studied.

Loss of smell is distinct from loss of taste, although the two senses are closely connected. Often when we think our taste is gone, what’s really missing is the smell component. For example, food may taste bland or “off,” but that’s usually because about 80% of flavor perception comes from smell.

Symptoms and Timeline of Smell Loss After COVID-19

When Does Smell Loss Usually Occur?

Most individuals report that a decrease or loss of smell emerges about 4 to 5 days after the initial COVID-19 symptoms begin, such as fever, cough, or fatigue. Sometimes, anosmia is the first or even the only symptom noticed.

Common Symptoms of Post-COVID Anosmia

Symptoms can vary widely among those affected:

     
• Complete loss of smell: Suddenly, you might find you cannot detect any odors at all.
     
• Partial loss: Scents become significantly weaker or harder to recognize—for example, your favorite coffee smells faint or diluted.
     
• Distorted smells (parosmia): This common post-COVID symptom causes familiar odors to smell unpleasant or “wrong.” For instance, coffee may smell like burnt rubber, or onions might smell like sewage, which can be confusing and unpleasant.
     
• Phantom smells (phantosmia): Some people experience smells that aren’t present at all, such as the scent of smoke, chemicals, or perfume, which can be distressing.
     
• Changes in taste: Because smell heavily influences flavor, food can seem bland or lack richness and complexity.
   

Typical Recovery Timeline

The good news is that many people notice gradual improvement within weeks. Research shows that the median recovery time for those who regain smell relatively swiftly is about 11.5 days post-onset. Approximately 90% experience substantial recovery within one to three months after infection.

However, for some individuals, the journey is longer. It is not unusual for symptoms to persist beyond six months, and a small but notable fraction face anosmia lasting a year or more. In these cases, recovery tends to be gradual and uneven—small smells return, fade again, or distort before further improvement occurs.

One patient shared, “It felt like my nose was on a rollercoaster—I’d smell something familiar for a few seconds, then it would vanish again. The waiting was the hardest part.”

Why Does Post-COVID Anosmia Happen? Causes and Mechanisms

How COVID-19 Affects the Olfactory System

Unlike a typical cold, COVID-19 doesn’t simply block odor pathways through congestion. Instead, it triggers an immune response that affects specialized support cells in the olfactory epithelium—the tissue in the nose responsible for detecting smells. Although the virus does not appear to directly infect the olfactory neurons themselves, the surrounding cells can become swollen or damaged, disrupting the function of smell-detecting nerves.

Dr. Sarah Nguyen, an otolaryngologist, explains, “The inflammatory response to COVID-19 disrupts communication between the nose and the brain. Fortunately, olfactory neurons can regenerate, but this process takes time and varies by individual.”

This injury and repair cycle helps explain why smell loss can linger even after the virus is gone. Over weeks to months, the body gradually restores these nerve cells, allowing the sense of smell to recover—sometimes fully, other times only partially.

Role of Different COVID Variants

Early COVID-19 strains and variants like Alpha were more likely to cause severe anosmia. With newer variants such as Omicron, reports have suggested a lower incidence and shorter duration of smell loss, though cases still occur. This shift may relate to differences in viral behavior and immune responses.

Why Smell Recovery May Take Longer Than Taste

Taste buds in the mouth regenerate relatively quickly, and basic taste sensations—sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami—often return faster. That is why many patients notice taste improvement even while smell remains impaired.

The olfactory system is more complex, requiring regrowth of specialized nerve cells and their connections. Because these cells regenerate more slowly, smell recovery can be prolonged.

Treatment Options for Post-COVID Anosmia

Smell Retraining Therapy (Olfactory Training)

One of the most effective and recommended treatments is smell retraining therapy, also called olfactory training. This simple but consistent approach involves sniffing a set of distinct scents (common choices include rose, lemon, clove, and eucalyptus) twice daily for several months.

Regular exposure to these familiar odors stimulates nerve pathways and encourages regeneration, much like physical therapy helps muscles rebuild after injury. Clinical studies have found that patients practicing smell training have a higher likelihood of regaining some or all of their sense of smell.

You can find detailed smell training guides online, or your healthcare provider can offer handouts. Consistency and patience are key—the process requires perseverance.

Emerging Medical Treatments

While several experimental treatments are under investigation, none have yet become mainstream recommendations. The stellate ganglion block—a nerve block injection used to reduce nerve pain—has shown some preliminary promise in small pilot studies but remains experimental. It is not an established or widely recommended treatment at this time and requires further research.

Similarly, steroids, vitamins, or supplements have not demonstrated consistent or significant benefits for post-COVID anosmia in larger clinical trials and are not routinely advised.

When to See a Specialist

If your sense of smell is not improving after three to six months, or if symptoms worsen or become very distressing (such as severe phantosmia), it’s important to seek evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or a dedicated smell and taste clinic.

Some individuals may choose to seek earlier evaluation depending on symptom severity, impact on quality of life, or personal concerns. Specialists can evaluate for other possible causes (such as sinus disease or neurological conditions) and suggest personalized treatment plans.

Early consultation is especially recommended if anosmia is severely impacting your quality of life.

Lifestyle Tips and Coping Strategies

Living with post-COVID anosmia can be challenging, affecting daily pleasures and safety. Here are practical tips to help you manage:

Managing Day-to-Day Life With Anosmia

     
• Home Safety: Because you may not detect smoke or gas leaks, ensure functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and tested regularly.
     
• Food Safety: Since you can’t rely on smell to detect spoiled food, carefully check expiration dates and use food thermometers to ensure items are cooked properly.
     
• Mealtime: Enhance mealtime enjoyment by focusing on food textures, colors, and temperatures. For example, try crunchy or spicy foods, or add acidity like lemon juice to brighten flavors. This can help offset the loss of aroma-based flavor.
   

Supporting Mental Health

Anosmia can cause feelings of isolation, anxiety, or depression—understandably so. Talking openly about your experience with family, joining support groups (many are online), or consulting a mental health professional can be very helpful.

You’re not alone, and psychological support can make a difference. As one support group member shared, “Knowing others understood what I was going through was a huge relief.”

Practical Advice During Recovery

     
• Be patient: Healing nerve pathways takes time. Celebrate small gains and don’t get discouraged by setbacks.
     
• Stay consistent: Olfactory training works best when practiced twice daily for several months.
     
• Avoid irritants: Smoking, strong cleaning chemicals, and other airborne irritants can interfere with healing, so it’s best to avoid them.
   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Post-COVID Anosmia

Q1: Can my sense of smell return after a year of post-COVID anosmia?
   Yes, recovery is still possible even after a year or longer. Some patients notice a slow but steady return of scents many months later, reflecting ongoing nerve regeneration.

Q2: Is taste loss also permanent after COVID?
   Taste tends to return faster than smell for most people and is rarely permanent, though persistent taste issues are less common but possible.

Q3: Are there any medications that can help smell return?
   Currently, no FDA-approved medications specifically restore smell after COVID-19. Research is ongoing, and your doctor can update you on emerging treatments.

Q4: Can vaccines help reduce anosmia severity?
   Preliminary data indicate that vaccinated individuals may experience less severe or prolonged loss of smell, though further studies are needed to fully understand the impact of vaccination on anosmia.

Q5: Should I avoid certain foods if my smell hasn’t returned?
   There are no specific foods to avoid unless you have other dietary restrictions. Focus on nutritious, safe foods you enjoy, and be extra cautious about food safety.

Conclusion

If you’re dealing with post-COVID anosmia, take comfort in knowing that most people recover their sense of smell—even if the process takes weeks or months. Smell retraining therapy, patience, and supportive self-care are valuable tools to aid your journey.

If your symptoms persist, worsen, or affect your emotional well-being, reach out to your healthcare provider or an ENT specialist. There are resources, treatments, and support systems designed to help you.

While post-COVID anosmia can disrupt daily life and emotions, recovery remains possible for the majority. Stay hopeful, attentive to your health, and proactive in your care—your sense of smell may be on the horizon.

If you or a loved one is struggling with post-COVID anosmia, consider booking an appointment with a qualified ENT specialist or a smell and taste clinic to discuss your symptoms and explore the best options for your recovery.

References / Further Reading:

     
• Yale Medicine – When Loss of Smell and Taste Occurs with Long COVID
     
• Duke Health – Scientists Find Key Reason Why Loss of Smell Occurs in Long COVID
     
• JAMA Network Open – Long-Term Recovery of Smell Loss After COVID-19
     
• Harvard Medical School – Why Loss of Smell Can Persist After COVID-19
     
• Henry Ford Health Blog – Regaining Sense of Smell and Taste After COVID
     
• MedicineNet – Loss of Smell and Taste With COVID-19
   

For the latest information and personalized advice, always consult your healthcare team.

If you have further questions or concerns about post-COVID anosmia, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider or explore reputable resources such as those listed above.

This blog is informational and does not replace medical advice. If you experience sudden or worsening symptoms, please contact a healthcare professional promptly.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Book an appointment today at Sleep and Sinus Centers to discuss your symptoms and begin your path to recovery.