Overview

On January 30, 2020, the WHO (World Health Organization) declared the new coronavirus pandemic as the sixth public health emergency of international concern. In February 2020, the virus was designated by the Coronavirus Study Group of the International Committee on Virus Taxonomy as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Many reports have described the appearance of olfactory or gustatory dysfunction simultaneously with other pre-established symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms such as loss of taste or smell may appear 2 to 14 days after being infected with COVID-19. Worldwide, evidence regarding anosmia (loss of smell) and dysgeusia (change in taste) has been associated with COVID-19 infection. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of low-intensity laser in treating changes in smell and taste after COVID-19 infection and map which changes obtained the best results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an intervention study whose sample will consist of 30 individuals with loss of smell and taste for more than 6 months after COVID-19 infection, aged 18 years or older.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who complained of loss of smell and taste more than 6 months after COVID-19 infection, aged 18 years or older, with proof of infection by PCR, will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with comorbidities prior to COVID-19 infection that could interfere with the functions of smell and taste will be excluded from the study; patients with a history of head and neck cancer, epileptic patients; mouth breathing patients; and pregnant women.