Tracking Smell Loss to Identify Healthcare Workers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

摘要: Background Healthcare workers (HCW) treating COVID-19 patients are at high risk for infection and may also spread through their contact with vulnerable patients. Smell loss has been associated SARS-CoV-2 infection, but it is unknown whether monitoring smell can be used to identify asymptomatic among individuals, like HCW. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study, tracking 473 HCW across three months determine if could predict in this high-risk group. subjects completed longitudinal, novel behavioral at-home assessment of function household items, as well detailed symptom surveys that included parosmia screening questionnaire, RT-qPCR testing infection. Results was identified 17 (3.6%) Among the infected HCW, 53% reported loss, were more likely report than COVID-negative on both questionnaire (P Conclusions In study self-reported changes using two different measures predictive frequently preceded positive test neurological symptoms.