On 18^th January Fifth Sense released a statement in partnership with the University of East Anglia highlighting the devastating impact post-Covid parosmia – the medical term for a distorted sense of smell – is having on children and teenagers.  It included the story of Dawn Kafi and her son Malisse, who stopped eating after catching Covid. Malisse complained that food tasted like sewage and rotten eggs. By November 2021 he had lost 2kg in weight and was taken to hospital.

Whilst the charity has been supporting people affected by parosmia since our inception, Autumn 2021 was the first time we had received widespread reports of young people being affected.  Our team worked with Dawn and other parents to develop an information sheet (download it using the link below this article) aimed at healthcare professionals and parents to help them support children experiencing this distressing condition.  Since this was released on Monday there has been significant interest in this issue.

• Over 75 press pieces, including  The Independent and mainstream news channels such as the BBC and Sky. 
• Our Medical Director Prof. Carl Philpott and Chair Duncan Boak featured on the BBC Look East TV programme 
• Duncan and Dawn were interviewed together live on BBC Radio Merseyside
• Fifth Sense has been contacted by parents grateful to see this being highlighted. We have established a Parent Support Group to share experiences and continue to raise awareness that this is a significant public health issue that should not be dismissed as fussy eating. Please email us at info@fifthsense.org.uk if you would like to join the group.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Dawn, Malisse and the other parents who have been involved in creating the guidance.  We have a section on our website dedicated to children and young people and their parents/carers that you can visit for more information and support.

Information Sheet: Supporting Children & Younger People With Parosmia