If you suddenly develop a loss or change to your sense of taste or smell contact your GP as it may be a symptom of coronavirus.

The HSE has added two new symptoms of the coronavirus to the list that people need to be aware of, with the advice to contact their GP if they suddenly develop them.

From today (Wednesday June 3^rd) if you suddenly develop a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste you should contact your GP as it may be a symptom of COVID-19. This means that you have noticed that you cannot smell or taste anything or that your sense of smell or taste is different to normal.

According to the HSE, It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of coronavirus to appear. They can be similar to the symptoms of cold and flu.

Common symptoms of coronavirus include:

• A fever (high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above)
• A cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

Anyone who develops the sudden onset of any of these symptoms needs to self isolate for 14 days and contact their GP as it may be the coronavirus. People in their households will also need to restrict their movements.

If you think you need to be tested for coronavirus, phone your GP. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The GP will assess you over the phone.

Your GP assessment and test will be free of charge. Any GP can assess you for a test.

If they think that you need to be tested, they will arrange a test for you.

Do not ring GP out-of-hours services. They cannot arrange testing.

Covid-19 is still a new virus and we are learning new things about it all the time. This means that the situation is evolving daily, and advice may change. Please see the HSE website for further up-to-date information.

Remember to phone your GP if your symptoms worsen and if you have difficulty breathing or are feeling very unwell, call 112 or 999.

We are here for you

The Irish Heart Foundation’s nurse support line is available five days a week. Anyone living with heart disease and stroke who has concerns or questions about the coronavirus can contact the nurse support line on 01 668 5001 or support@irishheart.ie.

The Irish Heart Foundation’s new heart support group is on Facebook. Anyone who lives with heart failure or another heart condition or has a family member living with a heart condition can join here: www.facebook.com/groups/heartsupportnetwork/

The Irish Heart Foundation runs 21 stroke support groups and 5 heart failure groups around the country. All these groups have moved to telephone and online support. For more information, see https://irishheart.ie/get-support/.

The Irish Heart Foundation in conjunction with the HSE National Stroke Programme, has launched a new telephone support service for stroke patients who have recently been discharged from hospital. For more information, see here. 

Please support our work

If found this article helpful and would like to donate to the Irish Heart Foundation please see here.

Further useful sources of information:

HSE

World Health Organization

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

Health Protection Surveillance Centre

For global travel information please see the Department of Foreign Affairs’ website or download the Department’s Travelwise app 

Please note the information on this page is for general guidance and comes from national and international guidance. It is not intended to replace the individual support of a medical professional.