local
When the ability to smell goes away
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Stacker , KVIA ABC-7
· July 21, 2026
· 10 min read
About 14 years ago, Chrissi Kelly lost her sense of smell. She had traveled to the Czech Republic to visit family and caught some virus. Months later, when she still couldn’t smell, she made the rounds to doctors, including her general practitioner and an ear, nose and throat specialist, trying t...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Stacker, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Researchers estimate that up to 22% of the population lives with smell impairments , like hyposmia (partial smell loss) or anosmia.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The loss of smell, as experienced by El Paso resident Chrissi Kelly, is a stark reminder of the complexities of human senses. With researchers estimating that up to 22% of the population lives with smell impairments, it's likely that many in our community are struggling with similar issues. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought much-needed attention to the importance of smell, and local clinicians may now be more inclined to take smell disorders seriously. As scientists continue to study the sense of smell, El Pasoans can expect to see advancements in diagnosis and treatment options. This is particularly significant for our community, where access to specialized care, such as ear, nose, and throat specialists, can be limited. By prioritizing research and awareness, we can work towards better supporting individuals like Kelly, who have been impacted by smell loss, and improving overall quality of life for those affected.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 10 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? About 14 years ago, Chrissi Kelly lost her sense of smell. She had traveled to the Czech Republic to visit family and caught some virus. Months later, when she still couldn’t smell, she made the rounds to doctors, including her general practitioner and an ear, nose and throat specialist, trying t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stacker at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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