Can tonsillitis cause loss of taste?

Inflamed tonsils can make swallowing uncomfortable and leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Taste can also seem reduced when nasal congestion limits the sense of smell, which contributes strongly to flavour. Fever, dry mouth, thick mucus and medicines can add to the change. Tonsillitis itself does not explain every episode of lost taste. A common cold or COVID-19 may affect smell and taste, and altered taste can sometimes continue after an infection as part of Long COVID.

Drink enough fluid to keep your mouth moist, choose soft foods if swallowing hurts, and avoid smoking or strong irritants. Follow the treatment instructions supplied by a clinician; antibiotics only help when the cause is bacterial. Do not share utensils or drinks while you have an infectious throat illness. Note when the taste change began, whether smell is affected, and whether it improves as the sore throat and congestion settle. A clinician can examine your throat and decide whether testing is appropriate.

Seek urgent medical help if you have trouble breathing, cannot swallow saliva, are drooling, develop rapidly increasing neck or throat swelling, or cannot keep fluids down. Arrange medical advice if the sore throat is severe, symptoms are worsening, or taste does not start returning after the throat illness improves. Sudden loss of taste with new respiratory symptoms warrants checking current local advice about COVID-19.

Could the taste change be from nasal congestion, the throat infection, or a medicine? Do I need a throat examination or infection test? What symptoms would mean I should return promptly?