What does loss of appetite feel like with COVID-19?

During COVID-19, food may seem less appealing because you feel feverish, tired, nauseated, congested, or generally unwell. Changes in smell or taste can make familiar meals seem different. You may eat smaller portions, skip meals, or stop wanting foods you normally enjoy. Most people with COVID-19 notice loss of appetite only as part of a wider illness pattern, so one symptom alone does not establish the cause.

Appetite often improves as the illness settles, but recovery is not identical for everyone. Other causes of reduced eating include stomach illness, medicines, stress, and dental or swallowing problems. A clinician can help if the symptom persists or is making it difficult to drink or take prescribed medicines.

Take frequent sips of water or another suitable drink and choose small, easy-to-eat portions. Cool foods may be easier if smells trigger nausea. Rest, follow current infection-control advice, and take medicines only as directed. If you have a condition such as diabetes or kidney disease, ask your clinician how to manage food and fluids during illness.

Seek urgent care for severe breathing difficulty, chest pressure, fainting, new confusion, blue or grey lips, or sudden weakness. Contact a clinician promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, become unusually drowsy, or cannot take essential medicines. These warning signs matter more than appetite loss alone.

Could my medicines or another illness be affecting my appetite? How much should I drink? What can I use for nausea or mouth discomfort? How should I manage my regular medicines if I am eating very little? Which symptoms mean I need urgent assessment?