Scientists have identified some genetic variants in people that may more likely lose their ability to taste and smell.

The study, published in Nature Genetics, investigated nearly 70,000 adults with COVID-19 and found that persons with certain genetic tweaks on chromosome 4 were 11 percent more likely to lose the ability to smell and taste than people without the changes. The two genes, UGT2A1 and UGT2A2, affects the function of the supporting cells of the smell receptors, located in the mucous membrane of the nose.

Almost every other person that falls ill from COVID-19 experience a changed smell and taste sense. Most people recover within a week but around every fifth person still experience problems a year after having had the disease. The study may help scientists find treatments.

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