Cold and loss of taste: what to know

Taste buds detect basic tastes, but much of what people call flavour comes from smell. A blocked nose can therefore make food seem bland even when the tongue is working normally. The common cold can cause this temporary change. COVID-19 may also alter taste, and some people have ongoing changes after infection, called Long COVID. A true loss of taste may occur with other mouth, nerve or medication-related problems, so the timing and whether smell changed too are useful details. Loss of taste is a symptom rather than a diagnosis.

Drink regularly and choose soft, nourishing foods with different textures while your throat or nose is uncomfortable. Keep brushing your teeth and cleaning your tongue gently. Avoid smoking and take care with very hot, spicy or strongly flavoured foods if they feel unpleasant. Do not add excessive salt or sugar to compensate for blandness. Check food dates and storage because altered taste can make spoilage harder to notice. A pharmacist or clinician can review medicines or mouth symptoms that may contribute.

Get urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, confusion, sudden weakness or trouble speaking. Arrange medical advice if taste loss is complete, continues after the cold improves, recurs without a clear infection, or makes it difficult to eat and drink. Seek assessment for mouth sores, persistent pain, a white coating that does not clear, or unexplained weight loss. Consider testing and local health guidance if taste change begins with symptoms that could indicate COVID-19.

Is this more likely to reflect nasal congestion or a separate taste problem? Should I test for COVID-19? Could a medicine, mouth condition or another illness be contributing? When should I return if taste does not recover?