Paving the post-covid Rhinology era with ERS!

Abstract

One year after the global COVID19 outbreak, there is hope for the Rhinology community and for patients suffering from chronic rhinologic conditions. Not only is there the prospectus of restoring normal rhinology care delivery in 2021, but also the possibility of implementing the learnings from this pandemic in daily practice leading to even better care in the post-covid era. Thanks to major efforts of several European Rhinologic Society members in studying and publishing their experiences on disease presentation , protection , clinical guidance , impact on daily rhinology practices (5) and insight into disease recovery (6) in Rhinology, the medical community has gained better insight into SARS-CoV-2 relate aspects of disease. The recent Rhinology publications on this historic topic have not only led to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV2 induced inflammation, but also to better care of viral exacerbations in those with and without pre-existing rhinologic conditions. Viruses have always been around and contributed to exacerbations and disease progression in conditions like rhinitis, rhinosinusitis and global airways diseases. Currently ongoing trials on the impact of SARS-CoV2 infections on sensitization to inhalant allergens, on smell dysfunction, on disease initiation and best anti-viral treatment strategies will undoubtedly have a major impact on rhinology care in the future. Therefore, lots of work still has been to performed to find the answers to several very relevant clinical questions.