FORT MYERS, Fla. - The CDC added loss of smell to the list of COVID-19 symptoms last week. 

At the beginning of the month a U.S. military base in South Korea posted on Twitter it started random smell tests using apple cider vinegar at gate entrances to screen people for the virus.

Here's the thing though, they are doing other screening measures too. Not just the smell test. 

The test is not exclusively related to vinegar.
Anything with a strong odor will do, like coffee beans.

You could also do the 'jelly bean test'. Use one hand to pinch your nose closed, the other, take a jelly bean and put it in your mouth. With your nose still pinched shut, chew the jelly bean. If you can taste savory and sweet you know your sense of taste is working. Then, while still chewing, release your nose. If you can suddenly smell whatever the flavor the jelly bean is, your sense of smell is probably okay.   https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-jelly-bean-taste-smell/

However, these tests are not diagnostic tests. There are many other reasons why you may be experiencing a loss of smell.

You could have a cold or allergies or another issue such as certain medications or chemotherapy. This could be also causing your sense of smell to be diminished.

The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports about 1 out of 8 people over the age of 40 have some smell loss.

The NIDCD said nearly 23 percent of Americans over the age of 40 or 1 in 4, report some sort of loss of smell.

Also, the exact number of COVID-19 patients with anosmia is still being collected and analyzed.  

While the vinegar test or smell test can be used, it's best to talk to a doctor and get tested if you think you have the virus.

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