Smelling Salts

it’s common to lose your sense of smell after having a virus or upper respiratory tract infection, and as COVID-19 (also known as Coronavirus) is a viral infection it may also cause post-infectious loss of smell.

A recent press release from ENT UK and the British Rhinological Society tells us that,

“Post-viral anosmia is one of the leading causes of loss of sense of smell in adults, accounting for up to 40% cases of anosmia.

Viruses that give rise to the common cold are well known to cause post-infectious loss, and over 200 different viruses are known to cause upper respiratory tract infections.”

It goes on to state,

“Previously described coronaviruses are thought to account for 10-15% cases.

It is therefore perhaps no surprise that the novel COVID-19 virus would also cause anosmia in infected patients.”

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When a cold or flu is causing your headache, it can be caused by swollen sinuses.

That means a decongestant could help to relieve headaches and facial pain by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in your sinuses.

If that doesn’t help to relieve your headache, you could try a painkiller like paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin if they’re suitable for you.

A decongestant clears up congestion, helping you to breathe easier.

Congestion is caused when the blood vessels in your nose dilate, causing inflammation and discomfort.

Decongestant treatments help to narrow these blood vessels, and with the swelling reduced, it allows more air to pass through and the mucus to drain, providing relief for cold and flu symptoms.

It’s the middle of summer and you’re sniffing and sneezing and, frankly, feeling a bit gross.

But what’s going on here? Have you picked up an uncomfortable Summer cold, or are you suffering from hay fever?

There are a couple of ways to figure out what’s giving you the sneezes and the coughs, so let’s take a look at each condition and how you can tell them apart.

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