When Julie Wright joined her family for breakfast on Christmas morning, her meal looked identical to what she ate exactly one year ago. The only difference now was that she couldn鈥檛 taste her food.
鈥淚 can tell the odd time [whether] something is supposed to be sweet, sour, salty, spicy, but cannot tell you what I'm tasting,鈥 she wrote in an email to CTVNews.ca last week. 鈥淪ome things just have zero taste at all 鈥 imagine not tasting ice cream anymore, [or] that first sip of morning coffee?鈥
The 40-year-old mother from Newcastle, Ont., began to lose her sense of taste a few months after contracting COVID-19 in December 2021. At that point, Wright had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, she said.
After speaking with her doctor, she was diagnosed with long COVID and eventually referred to a clinic in Toronto. Wright is one of dozens of Canadians who reached out to CTVNews.ca to describe their symptoms while suffering from long COVID. The emailed responses have not all been independently verified.
Also known as the post COVID-19 condition, the as the 鈥渃ontinuation or development of new symptoms three months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection.鈥 Symptoms must persist for at least two months and cannot be attributed to other causes.
have been associated with long COVID, and not everyone who develops the condition will experience the same symptoms. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), common symptoms include , although the loss of taste and smell have also been reported among those with long COVID, said Dr. Kieran Quinn, a clinician scientist at the University of Toronto and Sinai Health System.
There are several working theories on how long COVID affects the body, Quinn said, one of which points to unregulated inflammation that may take place following a COVID-19 infection. This can cause damage to cells in different parts of the body, such as organs.
鈥淚f you get damage in your brain and your memory centres, then you might have memory problems that might be described as brain fog, for example,鈥 Quinn told CTVNews.ca in a telephone interview on Wednesday.
It鈥檚 also possible for this inflammation to damage nerves that are associated with a person鈥檚 ability to taste and smell. Research on how COVID-19 affects a person鈥檚 ability to taste is still limited. According to , impaired taste may be the result of SARS-CoV-2 binding to receptors in the salivary glands or mucosal cells in the mouth, which could lead to inflammation and less taste bud sensitivity.
Inflammation can also harm the nerves that transmit information from the nose to the brain. A in the United States discovered that those suffering from a persistent loss of smell after contracting COVID-19 experienced inflammation in the tissue in the nose, where smell nerve cells are located.
As a result, some may be left without the ability to smell anything, a condition called anosmia. Others may experience parosmia, a distorted sense of smell that can make otherwise normal odours smell unpleasant. The scents are often described as smelling burned, rotten or chemical. The condition may also affect a person鈥檚 ability to eat certain foods by triggering nausea.
There is no known medication or treatment to specifically address a loss of smell or taste induced by COVID-19, Quinn said, although data from researchers in California shows patients may soon see some relief.
Sylvie Hanes developed parosmia after contracting COVID-19 for the second time in April 2022. By then, Hanes said she had received four doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
鈥淸My doctor] said there's really nothing you can do about it except to wait until your body reacts the right way,鈥 Hanes told CTVNews.ca in a telephone interview on Wednesday.
Sylvie Hanes appears in this photo.
The 62-year-old from Ottawa said the smell of meats such as beef and pork while cooking would give her instant nausea, preventing her from eating these foods.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been eight months without beef, pork [or] sausage,鈥 she said. 鈥淎nything that has meat smell, I have to stay away from 鈥 just thinking about it makes me sick.鈥
As a result, she would avoid going to restaurants or friends鈥 houses where meat was being served. She also avoids purchasing certain meat products while grocery shopping, she said. While the nausea she experiences isn鈥檛 as violent as it was a few months ago, Hanes said it still exists today. However, the nausea does not apply to other foods and her sense of taste is not impaired, she said.
Changes in a person鈥檚 sense of taste and smell are common among those with COVID-19, with an reporting these symptoms around the world.
Data shows most people will eventually recover. According to who lost their sense of taste and/or smell after a COVID-19 infection, most people either about two years after their infection. However, 7.5 per cent had still not regained their ability to taste and/or smell two years after contracting COVID-19.
Yet another symptom experienced by some long COVID patients is tinnitus, characterized by a ringing sound or other noise in the ear. Inflammation of the nerves in the inner ear that connect to auditory centres in the brain can result in a noise not caused by an external sound.
鈥淭hat ringing is simply a sign that the nerve is not working properly,鈥 Quinn said.
In observing these impacts on basic human senses, there appears to be a connection between COVID-19 and the nervous system, Quinn said. While SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects the lungs, the ACE-2 receptor used by the virus to enter cells can appear in multiple tissues and organ systems, he said.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we think that long COVID is a systemic illness, it鈥檚 not just an illness of the lungs,鈥 said Quinn. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely a whole-body disease.鈥
Nicole Rogers caught COVID-19 in March 2020. Despite having a mild infection, she said she later developed long COVID, experiencing symptoms such as extreme fatigue and tinnitus. In August 2020, she went to a hearing clinic and was eventually fitted with a hearing aid.
In this photo, Nicole Rogers appears with her husband and two children.
鈥淭hey said I have mild hearing loss [in] my left ear,鈥 she told CTVNews.ca in a telephone interview on Wednesday. 鈥淚t cuts the tinnitus by about half and makes it tolerable.鈥
While the condition is 鈥渋nconvenient,鈥 it鈥檚 not as debilitating as the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and cognitive issues she has since developed, said the 50-year-old from Langley, B.C. Rogers said she is currently on permanent disability leave after a 23-year career as a teacher.
鈥淚 was extremely active, never sat down, and now I鈥檓 shopping for a wheelchair,鈥 she said. 鈥淢ost days I can鈥檛 leave my house, I鈥檓 so dizzy 鈥 I can鈥檛 even stand in the shower anymore.鈥
In November 2020, Rogers was admitted to a long COVID clinic in Vancouver but has since been discharged. She has one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and has been taking low-dose naltrexone to manage her CFS, she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an invisible illness,鈥 she said.
Based on data , about said they still experienced symptoms at least three months after their infection. Despite this, there is currently , according to the PHAC.
The wide range of symptoms associated with long COVID can make diagnosing the condition 鈥渁 major challenge鈥 for health-care providers and patients, Quinn said. Symptoms are often not exclusive to long COVID, but associated with other conditions, too. This can lead to some variation in terms of how physicians determine whether someone has long COVID, he said.
鈥淚nformation gaps are a huge problem for us 鈥 nobody truly knows what causes long COVID,鈥 Quinn said. 鈥淎s health-care practitioners, we have to make the best decisions that we can for our patients operating on imperfect evidence.鈥
In the meantime, treatment continues to focus on helping patients manage symptoms, Quinn said.
After being admitted to the long COVID clinic in June 2022, Wright worked with various specialists, including a speech therapist and dietician, to manage her symptoms, which also included memory loss, difficulty concentrating and extreme fatigue. Along with long COVID, Wright has a heart defect known as bicuspid aortic valve and takes medication to manage her cholesterol.
By the end of September, she was discharged despite continuing to experience symptoms, she said.
鈥淣obody seems to know the answers,鈥 she told CTVNews.ca in a telephone interview on Wednesday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 heartbreaking.鈥
In this photo, Julie Wright appears with her dog.
The lack of information that continues to surround the condition is the hardest part of living with long COVID, Wright said.
鈥淵ou just want to know it鈥檚 going to end or it鈥檚 going to get better,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what scares me the most. I can handle the not having taste, I can handle the not having smell 鈥 It鈥檚 the not knowing that really drives me crazy.鈥
However, online communities supporting those with long COVID are a useful resource, said Wright, Hanes and Rogers.
Facebook groups for those with , or long COVID in general, have helped all three women cope with their symptoms, they said.
The was founded in 2020 by Susie Goulding, and currently has more than 18,000 members. The group allows Canadians with long COVID to connect with others who also have the condition, in order to better understand it and spread awareness, she said.
鈥淎 lot of people don鈥檛 get the support that they need from their families, friends and the medical community, and it鈥檚 like an ostracization,鈥 she told CTVNews.ca in a telephone interview on Thursday. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a lifeline of support for people.鈥
The group allows members to share their advice and acts as a reminder that anyone living with long COVID is not alone, said Goulding, who has the post COVID-19 condition herself. The group also connects those who have lived experience with long-COVID researchers for ongoing studies.
鈥淭he more that we collaborate and have our voices heard, that鈥檚 what鈥檚 important to create meaningful research,鈥 she said.
With files from CTVNews.ca writer Alexandra Mae Jones, CNN
A $2.14-billion federal loan for an Ottawa-based satellite operator has Canadian politicians arguing about whether American billionaire Elon Musk poses a national security risk.
Specialist divers surveying the wreckage of the US$40 million superyacht that sank off Sicily in August, killing seven people including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, have asked for heightened security to guard the vessel, over concerns that sensitive data locked in its safes may interest foreign governments, multiple sources told CNN.
Twenty-seven year 麻豆影视 reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao shares his story of what it was like to have an ostomy bag as part of his health-care battle. 'I鈥檓 grateful for what it did to extend my life,' he writes in a personal column for CTVNews.ca.
The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.
A northern Ontario man is facing a $12,000 fine after illegally shooting a moose near the Batchawan River.
A new study is adding to emerging research showing that exposure to metals such as cadmium, uranium and copper may also be associated with the leading cause of death worldwide, cardiovascular disease.
Unusual flippered feet are making their way into the Saint Lawrence River this weekend. Led by underwater explorer and filmmaker Nathalie Lasselin, volunteer divers are combing the riverbed near Beauharnois in Mont茅r茅gie to remove hundreds of tires that have been polluting the aquatic environment for decades.
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah announced that it fired a barrage of missiles at a military base deep inside Israel early Sunday following an Israeli airstrike more than a day earlier that killed at least 37 people, including one of the militant group鈥檚 senior leaders as well as women and children.
A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.
A man is facing numerous drug trafficking charges after Dufferin OPP seized a large assortment of drugs and weapons in Orangeville earlier this week.
The London Police Service (LPS) is currently investigating a suspicious death in the east end.
The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.
A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.
A northern Ontario man is facing a $12,000 fine after illegally shooting a moose near the Batchawan River.
A body has been found in the vicinity where a woman went missing on the Ottawa River near Pembroke, Ont. while kayaking Tuesday night, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Donald Trump returned to North Carolina on Saturday, stumping in the southern battleground state with direct appeals to women, claiming he would be a better champion for them than U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is vying to become the first female president.
Sheba, a 50-year-old seal at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in southwest England, has far surpassed the average lifespan for seals and could be the oldest in captivity in the world.
The more Chelsea Walsh talked to the eccentric fellow American who seemed to pop up in every square and cobblestone street of Ukraine's capital, the more she got creeped out.
Specialist divers surveying the wreckage of the US$40 million superyacht that sank off Sicily in August, killing seven people including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, have asked for heightened security to guard the vessel, over concerns that sensitive data locked in its safes may interest foreign governments, multiple sources told CNN.
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah announced that it fired a barrage of missiles at a military base deep inside Israel early Sunday following an Israeli airstrike more than a day earlier that killed at least 37 people, including one of the militant group鈥檚 senior leaders as well as women and children.
A $2.14-billion federal loan for an Ottawa-based satellite operator has Canadian politicians arguing about whether American billionaire Elon Musk poses a national security risk.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says close to 45,000 Canadians are in Lebanon, months after warning there is no guarantee Ottawa can evacuate them if the situation deteriorates further.
The federal firearm buyback program has cost taxpayers nearly $67.2 million since it was announced in 2020, but it still hasn't collected a single gun.
A new study is adding to emerging research showing that exposure to metals such as cadmium, uranium and copper may also be associated with the leading cause of death worldwide, cardiovascular disease.
For some young people, a popular method for getting a quick high is by misusing laughing gas 鈥 and lately, that鈥檚 in the form of nitrous oxide from products sold by the company Galaxy Gas.
Looking after an adult with severe autism can be a full-time job. Ask any parent who has a child severely affected by autism spectrum disorder 鈥 it鈥檚 a job that can get more difficult as the child becomes an adult.
If something looks too good to be true, it might be. That's the message from Saskatchewan horticulturists after customers have come into their stores hoping to buy purple apple trees this month.
The owner of the shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear power plant said Friday that it plans to restart the reactor under a 20-year agreement that calls for tech giant Microsoft to buy the power to supply its data centers with carbon-free energy.
Lebanese authorities on Thursday banned walkie-talkies and pagers from being taken on flights from Beirut airport, the National News Agency reported, after thousands of such devices exploded during a deadly attack on Hezbollah this week.
Kathryn Crosby, who appeared in such movies as 'The 7th Voyage of Sinbad', 'Anatomy of a Murder,' and 'Operation Mad Ball' before marrying famed singer and Oscar-winning actor Bing Crosby, has died. She was 90.fff
'Saturday Night Live' will have a slew of famous faces to help kick off its historic 50th season when the show returns later this month.
The death of the Tragically Hip鈥檚 lead singer Gord Downie united fans across Canada in their grief, but in many ways pulled his bandmates apart.
It is not a great time to be a coffee drinker. In general, coffee bean prices are the highest they've been in more than a decade.
The maker of the popular party game Cards Against Humanity is accusing Elon Musk's SpaceX of trespassing on and damaging a plot of vacant land the company owns in Texas.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says a recall of Nutrabolics brand Feed Me Vegan Real Food Protein & Oats bars due to undeclared milk has been expanded.
Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.
The end of the day 鈥 when school, extracurricular activities and homework are (hopefully) finally done 鈥 is the window that many kids have for downtime. It can be a struggle to convince them not to go on their phones.
While slang may come and go, experts say the phenomenon behind them, which constantly churns out brand-new bon mots, is as old as language itself.
Jonathan Aranda homered for the second consecutive game, helping Taj Bradley and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Saturday.
Kiefer Sherwood spent several nights last spring chasing Quinn Hughes around the ice and generally pestering the Vancouver Canucks.
Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.
General Motors (GM) has issued a recall for 38,000 vehicles for safety risks related to a software glitch, Transport Canada reported in a notice on Wednesday.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has accused Tesla CEO Elon Musk of 'remotely disabling' his Cybertruck, which had been sent to the frontline of Russia's war in Ukraine.
An Ontario man says it is 'unfair' to pay a $1,500 insurance surcharge because his four-year-old SUV is at a higher risk of being stolen.
Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.
Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.
An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.
They say a dog is a man鈥檚 best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.
A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.
Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.
The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
A six-year-old girl who was reported missing in northern B.C. earlier this week remains unaccounted for, and "significant resources from across the province" have joined in the search, police said Saturday.
A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.
A heritage home in Vancouver suffered "extensive damage" in a fire that broke out late Saturday morning, according to firefighters.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested after one person was found dead at a home in Richmond Hill Saturday morning.
Toronto police say they have now identified a third person who they believe was involved in a shooting that left two men dead in North York earlier this week.
A man is fighting for his life in hospital a day after a vehicle smashed into several others in and around an intersection in Milton before flipping over.
Milla White from Cochrane literally drew her way into a meeting with former boxer and actor Mickey Rourke.
The water coming from your taps might be a bit murky Saturday, but Calgary remains on schedule to end all water restrictions on Sunday.
For 12 hours Saturday Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPCK) employees, service personnel and corporate teams rode spin bikes to raise funds and awareness for charities focusing on housing homeless veterans in Canada and the U.S.
A potential move to LeBreton Flats for the Ottawa Senators is still years away, but questions and concerns are already being raised about what to do with the Canadian Tire Centre.
The Taste of Wellington 2024 wraps up Saturday in Ottawa.
A body has been found in the vicinity where a woman went missing on the Ottawa River near Pembroke, Ont. while kayaking Tuesday night, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Montrealers can get used to taking a stroll on several car-free streets during the summer in the years to come thanks to a new commitment from the city.
Three men were injured after trying to subdue a man armed with a knife during afternoon prayers at a Montreal-area mosque Friday afternoon.
Unusual flippered feet are making their way into the Saint Lawrence River this weekend. Led by underwater explorer and filmmaker Nathalie Lasselin, volunteer divers are combing the riverbed near Beauharnois in Mont茅r茅gie to remove hundreds of tires that have been polluting the aquatic environment for decades.
The Edmonton Police Service is looking for a person of interest in connection with a suspicious fire that destroyed a multi-unit building and damaged several townhomes earlier this week.
Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.
Two people have been charged after a daylight shooting in Red Deer earlier this week.
Halifax Regional Police warned the public of a series of high-value thefts targeting retail stores Friday.
Pictou County District RCMP is investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Thorburn, N.S., Saturday.
A proposal for additional parking to accommodate upgrades at the Irving Pulp & Paper Mill in Saint John, N.B., would add an estimated 500 parking spots at Wolastoq Park.
The search for a missing six-year-old boy in Shamattawa is continuing Friday as RCMP hope recent tips can help lead to a happy conclusion.
A herd of dogs paid visit to patients and residents at Riverview Health Centre during an annual event that lifts spirits and wags tails.
While slang may come and go, experts say the phenomenon behind them, which constantly churns out brand-new bon mots, is as old as language itself.
Fire officials are investigating after a fire completely destroyed the community fridge in the Cathedral neighborhood.
The last two months after losing her daughter Bella have been extremely difficult for Kyla Thomson.
Regina police arrested three youths in connection to a bear mace incident at a Regina high school on Friday.
The Cambridge Professional Fire Fighters鈥 Association held their annual Muscular Dystrophy Boot Drive on Saturday.
Protests were held in front of Kitchener City Hall on Friday, both for and against LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education and queer rights in schools.
Police said the pedestrian, a 52-year-old man, was taken to an out-of-region hospital with life-threatening injuries and the driver of the vehicle failed to remain at the scene.
The 75-year-old building, formerly the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce building, was relocated to the Parks Canada compound on the edge of the townsite.
Saskatchewan RCMP major crimes unit is investigating after a man鈥檚 body was found on Sweetgrass First Nation.
Motors were roaring, and tires were spinning as Saskatoon's biggest names in motocross gathered together for the 50-year anniversary of the club's founding on Saturday.
Ontario鈥檚 police watchdog is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police officer discharged his firearm at a 36-year-old man in near Moonbeam, Ont., on Friday night.
For some young people, a popular method for getting a quick high is by misusing laughing gas 鈥 and lately, that鈥檚 in the form of nitrous oxide from products sold by the company Galaxy Gas.
An Ontario woman is among the dozens of people who have come forward to allege that they were sexually abused by London-based businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, the former chairman and owner of Harrods.
A motorcyclist has died following a serious collision that took place in London鈥檚 south end on Friday afternoon.
The London Police Service (LPS) is currently investigating a suspicious death in the east end.
The St. Thomas police is asking the public for help locating a missing man.
The Barrie Skateboard Association (BSA) hosted a unique competition at the City's Skate Park on Saturday to celebrate its 25th anniversary, which showcased the park's importance and the growth of skateboarding in the region.
A man is facing numerous drug trafficking charges after Dufferin OPP seized a large assortment of drugs and weapons in Orangeville earlier this week.
One person is in hospital after an e-bike crash in Orillia on Thursday.
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum is celebrating a year of festivities in anticipation of its 50th anniversary in 2025.
The St. Clair College golf teams were successful at the Niagara Knights Invitational tournament on Friday.
A LaSalle high school is celebrating its emerald anniversary this weekend, with everyone who has ever walked its halls invited to return.
A man who was found dead behind a curling rink in Nanaimo, B.C., earlier this month was the victim of a homicide, police confirmed.
A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.
A six-year-old girl who was reported missing in northern B.C. earlier this week remains unaccounted for, and "significant resources from across the province" have joined in the search, police said Saturday.
A pair of runaway pigs are in the custody of an animal sanctuary in the Okanagan after evading police and volunteers for hours earlier this week.
The Red Bridge, a historic landmark in Kamloops, B.C., was completely destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.
Animal protection officers in British Columbia have rescued three pit bulls 鈥 including one that gave birth to 10 puppies 鈥 from a rat-infested home in Kelowna.
Despite the heavy rain, plenty of muscle turned up for United Way鈥檚 annual Pull the Bus fundraiser in Lethbridge Friday.
Lethbridge County has rescinded its fire restriction as a result of the recent cool, wet weathr.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off the 2024-25 season on a winning note Friday night, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1 in a game played at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
A northern Ontario man is facing a $12,000 fine after illegally shooting a moose near the Batchawan River.
Following an outbreak of COVID-19 on its continuing care floor and just ahead of the flu season, St. Joseph鈥檚 General Hospital in Elliot Lake has opted to re-introduce a universal masking policy until further notice.
A 26-year-old driver from Surrey, B.C., has been charged with three counts of criminal negligence causing death and bodily harm in a crash that killed two youths in northern Ontario last year.
Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer is monitoring the rise of whooping cough infections across the province as cases of the highly contagious disease continue to grow across Canada.
A 16-year-old biennial event aimed at fostering business in the country's eastern Arctic and northern regions has been cancelled indefinitely as a dispute unfolds between Inuit in Canada and a Labrador group claiming to share their heritage.
Jim Lester鈥檚 farm hopped on the cow-cuddling trend in early August, and his time slots have been pretty well sold out ever since.
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at 麻豆影视. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.聽Read about us.
