On new infections
New infections, whether from Covid or other viruses that are circulating now, are a fact of life that we must live with. As many of you know, I have autoimmune conditions which mean I need medications that make me susceptible to everything. Covid is the one I dread, but recently a sinus infection set me back—the cause of my original smell loss in 2012.
This recent infection started with a tickle on one side of my throat. Within hours, the throat was very sore indeed and I was having difficulty swallowing. This continued for 3 days, and then congestion closed my upper airways. That’s when I stopped smelling.
Rule 1: Temporary smell loss: it’s normal when you have congestion. It doesn’t mean that the olfactory system has packed up for good
I accept this as a normal. I know that my sense of smell is in there somewhere, but it’s just blocked off. Imagine you are in a dark hallway. You might see a crack of light coming from underneath a closed door. You are reassured: light is in there, it’s just not where you are at the minute. If you’ve ever blown your nose and suddenly had a brief window of smell, just for a few seconds, you’ll know what I mean. The pressure from blowing your nose has opened up the airway a bit, and when you’ve finished, it closes up again.
We also know that with Covid, the congestion can be right up at the top of the upper airways, where the olfactory cleft is. That bit sits above the passageway that takes the air from your nostrils to your lungs. You may not feel that congestion, and have a sensation that air is still going in and out of your nose. I don’t obsess about whether this loss of smell is permanent. I consider it to be temporary until proven otherwise!
Rule 2: While you are unwell, consider maintaining the usual nasal rinsing routine.
I take special care of my nose when I am ill, and this gives me confidence that I am doing the best that I can for myself. I try to rinse twice a day, on getting up and before bed. If I’ve been on public transport or exposed somewhere to a crowd of people, I will rinse when I get home. I met the Belgian Professor Philippe Rombeaux at one of my training courses who explained that twice daily rinsing was the best defense for coughs and colds. The viruses need to colonise and build up in your mouth cavity and nose if they are to affect you. Rinsing interrupts this cycle.
Be extra careful to keep your rinse bottle squeaky clean if you are unwell. Be sure to disinfect it before each use (microwave is good for this), and use boiled tepid or cool water.
You can clear things out with rinse bottles in ways you can’t do with simple pre-prepared spray solutions like Sterimar. While these sprays are good if you are on the move, they don’t provide the volume (and the warmer temperature) that a rinse bottle does.
Rule 4: Clear the viral load in your mouth, too
I clear the viral load in my mouth and nose with a careful oral hygiene routine that puts emphasis on the areas between the teeth where viruses multiply. They also get into the gum line, as was described in this article. The author of this research not only highlights how viruses and bacteria can get into the blood system through the gums, but also determined that some mouthwashes can kill the Covid virus (and others) on contact. While rinsing and oral care won’t bring about recovery from smell loss, clearing the viral load can shorten the time you are ill as well as protecting others you live with.
Rule 5: Rest up!
Take good care of yourselves.
Chrissi x
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