Cold and loss of appetite: what to know

A respiratory infection can make food less appealing when the nose is blocked, the throat is sore, or fever and fatigue are present. Reduced smell can also make flavours seem weaker. COVID-19 and influenza may include appetite loss, while stomach conditions such as gastroenteritis, gastritis or peptic ulcer can cause poor appetite with nausea, pain or vomiting. Depression can affect eating without causing cold symptoms. Hepatitis A may cause appetite loss with nausea, tiredness, abdominal discomfort or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Pancreatic cancer can present with appetite loss, but a short-lived change during an acute cold does not by itself point to that condition.

Take frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, especially if fever, sweating, vomiting or diarrhoea is present. Choose small portions of easy-to-eat foods such as soup, yoghurt, rice, toast or fruit, and eat when you feel able rather than forcing a large meal. Rest, keep the room comfortably ventilated, and follow label directions for any symptom medicine. Avoid alcohol and smoking while unwell. Track how much you drink, whether you are passing urine normally, and whether appetite begins to return as the cold settles.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, severe weakness, inability to keep fluids down, or signs of serious dehydration such as very little urine. Arrange medical advice if appetite loss is severe, continues after the cold improves, is accompanied by repeated vomiting, significant abdominal pain, yellow eyes or skin, or unplanned weight loss. Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with long-term conditions may need earlier assessment.

Could my symptoms fit a respiratory infection, a stomach condition or another cause? Which warning signs should prompt same-day care? How can I maintain fluids and nutrition if eating remains difficult? Do my medicines or existing conditions affect my appetite?