Loss of sense of smell, sometimes can only smell?

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Hello doctor. I recently had a cold, cough, stuffy nose, hoarse voice. In addition, I lost my sense of smell, sometimes I can smell again. The doctor asked me what's wrong? I hope you can give me some advice, thank you.
Anonymous Question
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Answered by Master, Doctor Nguyen Vinh Toan - Ear - Nose - Throat Doctor - Interspecialty Department - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.
Hello!
With the question "Losing sense of smell, why can't you smell it sometimes?" , the doctor would like to answer as follows:
Loss of smell after flu has two main causes. Firstly, after the flu, the nasal mucosa is still edematous, exuding fluid, sometimes there is sinusitis after the flu, which will lead to a decrease in the air up to the smelling floor and loss or reduction of smell. Second, when the nose is still open, but the flu virus attacks the cells that feed the olfactory neurons or directly damages the smell receptors, causing long-term loss of smell. You should go to Vinmec Ear - Nose - Throat Department for endoscopy, CT scan of nose and sinuses for a more detailed examination.
If you still have questions about loss of smell, you can go to a hospital under Vinmec Health System for further examination and advice. Thank you for trusting and sending questions to Vinmec. Wishing you lots of health.
Best regards,