What symptom became a distinguishing hallmark early in the COVID-19 pandemic?
Answer
Issues with taste or smell
The clinical presentation of COVID-19 has included a wide array of symptoms affecting multiple body systems. Among the frequently reported manifestations, especially prominent early in the pandemic's history before newer variants became dominant, were specific sensory disturbances. Issues relating to the sense of taste or smell (anosmia and ageusia) stood out as particularly distinctive hallmarks that helped differentiate COVID-19 from more common respiratory ailments like the cold or flu.

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