What should you know about flu and loss of taste?

Loss of taste may mean flavours seem muted, changed or absent. Much of what people describe as taste loss comes from reduced smell: a blocked nose prevents aromas from reaching the smell receptors that help create flavour. Flu and a common cold can cause this through congestion and inflammation. COVID-19 can also change taste and smell, sometimes without a blocked nose. The symptom alone cannot tell you which infection is present, and it can occasionally continue after the initial illness.

Choose foods with textures and temperatures you enjoy, and keep meals small if appetite is low. Continue drinking regularly. Avoid adding large amounts of salt or sugar to compensate for muted flavour. Check use-by dates and ask someone else to check food if you cannot smell spoilage. Keep smoke and gas alarms working. Avoid smoking and vaping, and follow local advice about respiratory infection testing and limiting close contact.

Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, confusion, severe headache with neck stiffness, or neurological symptoms. Arrange an appointment if taste loss is sudden, occurs without cold symptoms, persists after recovery, keeps returning, or makes it difficult to eat and drink. A clinician may review medicines, nasal symptoms and possible COVID-19 or Long COVID, then decide whether further assessment is needed.

Is my taste change likely to be linked to congestion, or should I test for COVID-19? Could a medicine or another nasal problem be contributing? When should I seek review if normal taste does not return?