Viral anosmia is a total lack of olfaction caused by an upper respiratory infection (URI) virus destroying the cells of the olfactory epithelium through a process known as necrosis. The virus enters the cells and destroys them from within leading to a lack of smell. Usually only the olfactory receptor cells are destroyed but some doctors believe the olfactory nerve or the nasal serous glands can also be damaged .

Yes they do. Some recover spontaneously. The recovery rate is not known - figures are vague and badly researched, ranging from 18% of all cases in one study to 66% in another. Yet another study suggests that two thirds of all viral anosmia victims will have recovered at least some of their smell within four years. Bearing in mind that 'some of your smell' is arguably as little as 1% and that four years is a long time, this is not a good prognosis. See similar questions...

The standard medical line is that viral anosmia is not treatable and nearly all physicians will say that this is the case. At present, as far as I am aware, only Dr Robert I Henkin of the Taste and Smell Clinic in Washington DC, USA offers treatment for the condition with varying reports of success. After contracting viral anosmia in June 1998 I was first treated by Dr Henkin in May 1999. No 'alternative' therapies have proved to be successful. See similar questions...

It began with a sore throat that became progressively more painful for a week following which a very stuffy head cold began, with a cough, fatigue and painful limbs. After congestion began, anosmia set in. However, the viral symptoms can vary widely. See similar questions...

Tangible, reliable info is few and far between and all the major anosmia sites and discussion forums are already detailed on the home page of this website. However, for the best overview of all causes of anosmia, in brief and straightforward terms, I'd recommend Tim Jacob's Anosmia Page. Taste Extinction. In response to queries about "taste extinction," Mick noted that this term is used by Dr. See similar questions...

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. There are five identified types of viral hepatitis and each one is caused by a different virus. In the United States, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most common types. Hepatitis A is caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B is caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). See similar questions...

Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting or diarrhea. It is often called the "stomach flu," although it is not caused by the influenza viruses. See similar questions...

The main difference between these two categories of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is what causes them -- bacterial STDs are caused by bacteria and viral STDs are caused by viruses. As a result of being caused by different microorganisms, bacterial and viral STDs vary in their treatment. Bacterial STDs, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia, are often cured with antibiotics. See similar questions...

No. Hepatitis viruses are not zoonotic meaning that they cannot be transmitted between, or be shared by, animals and humans. No natural animal or insect hosts or vectors are known to exist. While humans are the only natural hosts, some non-human primates can be experimentally infected for research purposes. Yes. Although studies have not been done to look at this issue, there is no reason to believe that this would be a problem. See similar questions...

The symptoms of acute (newly acquired) hepatitis A, B, and C are the same. Symptoms occur more often in adults than in children. If symptoms occur, they might include: See similar questions...

A viral load test, or HIV RNA assay, measures the amount of virus circulating in your bloodstream at a given time. This gives us a better picture of how active your HIV infection is. High viral load values are associated with a more rapid progression to AIDS and indicate a need for more aggressive treatment. Additionally, the viral load will respond to changes in your medications within 2 weeks, so we can quickly assess how well the medicines are fighting HIV. See similar questions...

Yes, the other most common types are hepatitis A and B. Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by personal contact with someone who is infected and by drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. Most people recover from hepatitis A within 6 months without serious health problems. Hepatitis B is transmitted through infected blood and other bodily fluids. See similar questions...

Viral infections are mainly identified indirectly by detecting a patient's production of specific antibody (serology). But as antibodies are only produced a week or more after the start of an infection, results are delayed for a considerable period of time. In routine laboratories only a limited number of viral pathogens can be identified directly (usually with ELISA based methods), with positive results requiring a minimum concentration of the virus to be positive. See similar questions...

No, the virus dies quickly when attacked by the body's immune system. Usually, by the time viral anosmia is apparent and diagnosed, the virus that caused it is long dead. See similar questions...

Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses,type 40 or 41, sapoviruses, and astroviruses. Viral gastroenteritis is not caused by bacteria (such as Salmonella or Escherichia coli) or parasites (such as Giardia), or by medications or other medical conditions, although the symptoms may be similar. Your doctor can determine if the diarrhea is caused by a virus or by something else. See similar questions...

The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting. The affected person may also have headache, fever, and abdominal cramps ("stomach ache"). In general, the symptoms begin 1 to 2 days following infection with a virus that causes gastroenteritis and may last for 1 to 10 days, depending on which virus causes the illness. See similar questions...

For most people, it is not. People who get viral gastroenteritis almost always recover completely without any long-term problems. Gastroenteritis is a serious illness, however, for persons who are unable to drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea. Infants, young children, and persons who are unable to care for themselves, such as the disabled or elderly, are at risk for dehydration from loss of fluids. See similar questions...

Anyone can get it. Viral gastroenteritis occurs in people of all ages and backgrounds. However, some viruses tend to cause diarrheal disease primarily among people in specific age groups. Rotavirus and norovirus infections are the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and young children under 5 years old. Adenoviruses and astroviruses cause diarrhea mostly in young children, but older children and adults can also be affected. See similar questions...

Generally, viral gastroenteritis is diagnosed by a physician on the basis of the symptoms and medical examination of the patient. Rotavirus infection can be diagnosed by laboratory testing of a stool specimen. Tests to detect other viruses that cause gastroenteritis are not in routine use, but the viral gastroenteritis unit at CDC can assist with special analysis upon request. See similar questions...