Experts have revealed the easy ways to determine if your loss of smell is due to coronavirus of the common cold.
The NHS initially outlined a high temperature and a new, continuous cough as the main symptoms of Covid-19.
However, this was changed to include a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste at a later stage in the pandemic.
The new symptom has caused some confusion with those suffering from a stuffy nose brought on by the common cold or an allergic reaction, reports the Mirror.
Scientists at the University of East Anglia carried out a study among 30 people - 10 with coronavirus, 10 with bad colds and 10 healthy people.
They discovered that Covid-19 patients don’t tend to have blocked, stuffy or runny noses and can generally breathe freely.
Patients with the virus also cannot tell the difference between bitter or sweet, whereas people with the common cold can.
Speaking to the BBC, Professor Carl Philpott, who led the study, said: “They really do appear to be distinguishing features that set the coronavirus apart from other respiratory viruses.
"This is very exciting because it means that smell and taste tests could be used to discriminate between Covid-19 patients and people with a regular cold or flu.”
If you’re concerned that you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste, Professor Philpott suggests that you carry out your own tests at home using strong flavours like garlic, lemons and coffee.
However, he added that Covid-19 tests were still essential if you think you might have the virus.
