How long do you lose taste with COVID?

COVID-19 can affect taste directly and can also reduce flavour because smell is altered. Foods may seem bland, different or unpleasant while the sensory system recovers. A changed taste does not by itself show how severe the infection is. Persistent symptoms may occur with Long COVID, but nasal congestion, dry mouth, oral problems and some medicines can also change taste.

Choose foods with varied textures and temperatures, and keep meals nutritious even if familiar flavours are less noticeable. Brush your teeth and tongue gently, drink enough fluids, and avoid adding excessive salt or sugar to compensate. Check food dates carefully because smell and taste may not warn you that food has spoiled. Consider Loss of Smell if both senses changed.

Contact a clinician if taste loss is persistent, worsening, affecting nutrition, causing weight loss, or accompanied by mouth pain, ulcers, difficulty swallowing or neurological symptoms. Seek urgent help for sudden facial weakness, new confusion, severe headache or trouble breathing.

Ask whether your taste change is likely related to COVID-19, whether your mouth, nose or medicines need checking, and how to protect nutrition while flavours return.