Fever and loss of taste: what should you know?

Taste can seem reduced when a blocked or inflamed nose limits smell, because smell contributes strongly to flavour. Viral illnesses, including COVID-19 and the common cold, may cause fever and changes in smell or taste. Other possibilities depend on the wider picture, such as a cough, rash, breathing symptoms, mouth changes, or exposure to illness.

Loss of taste does not identify one diagnosis by itself. A clinician may ask when the change began, whether smell is also affected, and whether you have nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, or a known exposure. Conditions such as cellulitis, chickenpox, croup, or acute bronchitis have different typical patterns, so the accompanying symptoms guide the assessment.

Rest, drink fluids regularly, and choose nourishing foods with textures you can tolerate. If food tastes bland, do not compensate by adding excessive salt or sugar. Avoid smoking and keep shared indoor spaces well ventilated. Wash your hands and avoid preparing food for others while you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Record when the fever and taste change started, whether smell is affected, and any new symptoms. Follow local advice about testing when COVID-19 is possible, particularly after a relevant exposure or when respiratory symptoms appear. Take fever medicine only according to the label and ask a pharmacist about interactions or suitability.

Get urgent help for difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, severe weakness, blue or grey lips, inability to stay awake, or signs of serious dehydration such as very little urine. A child with a harsh cough and noisy breathing, or a rapidly spreading painful skin change, also needs prompt assessment.

Contact a clinician if the fever is persistent, returns after improving, or comes with a severe headache, stiff neck, repeated vomiting, a spreading rash, or worsening cough. Arrange review if taste or smell does not begin to recover after the acute illness, or if the change affects eating and drinking.

Ask whether your symptoms fit a respiratory infection, whether testing is appropriate, and how to manage fever safely with your medical history. Tell the clinician about recent travel or animal contact, sick contacts, new medicines, nasal blockage, rash, breathing symptoms, and the exact timing of the taste change.