key: cord-0681903-o44dyx0g
authors: Celik, Serdal; Kalcioglu, Mahmut Tayyar; Hanege, Fatih Mehmet
title: In response to the letter to the editor regarding SARS‐CoV‐2 Presence in the Saliva, Tears, and Cerumen of COVID‐19 Patients
date: 2021-07-03
journal: Laryngoscope
DOI: 10.1002/lary.29723
sha: de82a6e129485a859f6a66c15857ac11231eeec7
doc_id: 681903
cord_uid: o44dyx0g

nan

In response to the letter to the editor regarding SARS-CoV-2 Presence in the Saliva, Tears, and Cerumen of COVID-19 Patients Dear Editor:

We read the letter to the editor written by Cherchi et al. for our published article with great interest. 1 At first, we would like to thank Cherchi et al., who kindly evaluated our work and provided valuable comments on our results. We would also like to comment on this letter based on our experience and literature review.

There have been some studies on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the cerumen with different results. The possible reasons of these different results were discussed in our letter to the editor 2 regarding _ Islamo glu et al.'s article. 3 In this letter, it was briefly discussed that those different results might occur due to method differences. Cherchi et al.'s opinion that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is already known to be transmitted by aerosol, can be transmitted through aerosols that occur during interventions related to the external ear canal or eardrum is possible and should be considered. This possibility may be clarified with further studies.

As it is known, the practice of otorhinolaryngology is of high risk in terms of COVID-19 transmission, especially due to examinations and surgical procedures. 4 In the light of this knowledge, we need to keep in mind that there may be a possibility of transmission not only through nose or throat but also the audiovestibular examinations or the otologic surgeries. Therefore, we agree with the suggestion that the caloric tests, especially pertaining to air and water, should be done more carefully during the pandemic process or the video head impulse test should be used regarding the audiovestibular evaluations. 

SARS-CoV-2 presence in the saliva, tears, and cerumen of COVID-19 patients

SARS-CoV-2 presence in cerumen

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in the cerumen of COVID-19-positive patients

COVID-19 and ENT surgery