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[Bezzy Psoriasis](https://www.bezzypsoriasis.com/?utm_source=mnt&utm_medium=nav-bar-connect) Follow Us Subscribe # Loss of taste and smell with COVID-19  [Medically reviewed]() by [Joseph Vinetz, MD]() — Written by [Aaron Kandola]() on January 12, 2021 - [Prevalence](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-and-loss-of-taste#prevalence) - [Severity](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-and-loss-of-taste#severity) - [Testing](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-and-loss-of-taste#testing) - [Is it temporary?](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-and-loss-of-taste#is-it-temporary) - [How to cope](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-and-loss-of-taste#how-to-cope) - [Cause](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-and-loss-of-taste#cause) - [Consulting a doctor](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-and-loss-of-taste#consulting-a-doctor) - [Summary](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-and-loss-of-taste#summary) COVID-19 typically produces a range of flu-like symptoms, including a cough and fatigue, but it can also cause the loss of taste and smell. Taste and smell can return or get better within 4 weeks of the virus clearing the body, but it may sometimes take months for them to improve. A loss of taste and smell is a [common early symptom](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joim.13209) of COVID-19. Therefore, anyone who notices changes in these senses should start self-isolating and get a COVID-19 test. Changes might include: - taste and smell being less sensitive than normal - no sense of smell or taste - foods tasting strange - odors smelling unusual When a person contracts SARS-CoV-2 and develops COVID-19, the loss of taste and smell [could be](https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2808) their only symptom. This article discusses the loss of taste and smell as a symptom of COVID-19, including how to cope and when to seek medical help. ## [How common is a loss of taste or smell in people with COVID-19?]()  [Share on Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com%2Farticles%2Fcovid-19-and-loss-of-taste&media=https%3A%2F%2Fpost.medicalnewstoday.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2021%2F01%2FGettyImages-1217098955_header-1024x575.jpg&description=COVID-19%20and%20loss%20of%20taste%3A%20Why%20does%20it%20happen%2C%20and%20will%20it%20return%3F "Share on Pinterest") enginakyurt11/Getty Images A 2020 meta-analysis observed that [53% of people](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0194599820926473) who contracted COVID-19 had problems with taste and smell. A loss of taste or smell, or a reduction in these senses, may present early and could be an initial symptom of COVID-19. The researchers note that if more people knew this, it could encourage earlier diagnosis and treatment. [Learn more about the early symptoms of coronavirus here.](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/coronavirus-early-symptoms) ## [How severe is the loss of taste and smell with COVID-19?]() According to one [2020 study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7397453/), a sudden, severe loss of taste and smell in the absence of an allergy or other chronic nasal condition could be an early symptom of COVID-19. However, if someone is experiencing any sort of unexpected dysfunction in taste and smell, even if it is mild, they should self-isolate and get a test for COVID-19. This loss of taste and smell may occur in people who have no other symptoms of COVID-19. ## [Testing for loss of taste or smell]() To test for a loss of taste at home, a person should try foods with strong seasoning and check whether they can detect any differences between the flavors. A person can test their sense of smell by choosing two items with strong and contrasting aromas, such as [coffee](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270202) granules and an orange, and smelling them individually to see whether they can detect any differences. [AbScent](https://abscent.org/), a United Kingdom charity for people with smell or taste problems, provide a [useful checklist](https://abscent.org/application/files/5515/7532/6861/Self_assessment.pdf) that a person can use to assess and track their smell loss at home. If anyone wants to use the checklist to monitor a loss of taste, they can apply the questions to taste instead. Doctors use different tests to diagnose a loss of taste and smell. To diagnose a loss of taste, they [may conduct](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taste-disorders) a “sip, spit, and rinse” test. To confirm a loss of smell, they [may use](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders) a booklet containing tiny beads that produce different smells when someone scratches them. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, a person may not be able to undergo one of these tests in person at a doctor’s surgery. If a person has recently lost their sense of taste or smell and wants medical advice, they should call their doctor and speak with them over the phone. Losing taste and smell suddenly [could be](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7397453/) an early symptom of COVID-19, so a person who experiences this should start self-isolating and get a COVID-19 test. ## [Is the loss temporary?]() In most cases, the loss of smell and taste due to COVID-19 is temporary. The researchers behind a [multicenter study](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joim.13209) found that at 2 months, 75–80% of people had regained their taste and smell, with 95% having regained these senses at 6 months. They further noted that people who lost their taste and smell also experienced milder COVID-19 symptoms. In [rarer](https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2808) cases, people may require ongoing treatment and monitoring of their taste and smell. ## [Coping strategies]() Taste and smell are an important part of everyday life. Losing [taste](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taste-disorders) and [smell](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders) is often very unsettling, as these senses have a major influence on food preferences. When a person can no longer taste or smell, they may experience changes in body weight due to no longer eating the same foods they used to enjoy. If a person has lost their taste and smell due to COVID-19, they should start noticing significant improvements in[4 weeks](https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2808), though a full recovery may take [6 months or more](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joim.13209). Focusing on the symptoms as temporary is a good strategy when feeling overwhelmed about not tasting or smelling anything. When a person can no longer taste or smell their food properly, they can take steps to make meals more exciting. These [include](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taste-disorders): - choosing meals with a variety of colors and textures - using aromatic herbs and spices for stronger flavors - adding cheese, bacon bits, olive oil, or toasted nuts - avoiding meals that combine many ingredients, such as casseroles, as these recipes may dull the flavor of each individual food Some people may benefit from smell training to help their sense of smell return sooner. The training involves smelling four scents for about [20 seconds](https://abscent.org/learn-us/smell-training) each per day. Concentrating on each smell could help with recovery. A person could apply this training to taste by choosing different flavors of foods. People struggling with a loss of taste and smell may also benefit from joining online support groups and forums. ## [Why does COVID-19 affect taste and smell?]() It remains unclear why COVID-19 can affect taste and smell so much. One [theory](https://www.vumc.org/coronavirus/latest-news/five-things-know-about-smell-and-taste-loss-covid-19) is that SARS-CoV-2, as with some other similar viruses, causes [inflammation](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423) inside the nose that leads to a loss of olfactory or smell neurons. Researchers also note that the expression of the human cell receptors to which SARS-CoV-2 binds is higher in the nasal cavity and cells in the olfactory tissue. ## [Seeking medical help]() The loss of smell and taste could be an early symptom of COVID-19 and may be the only symptom a person experiences. Other symptoms to look out for [include](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html): - a cough - a [sore throat](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155412) - congestion - [tiredness](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248002) - head and body aches - [fever](http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168266) or chills - shortness of breath People with these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider online or over the phone. They should also self-isolate and take a COVID-19 test. If someone has severe symptoms — for example, they are struggling to breathe — they should seek emergency medical care. ## [Summary]() The loss of taste and smell can be an early sign of COVID-19. People could experience a partial or full loss of these senses. The loss of the senses of taste and smell can sometimes be the only symptom that COVID-19 causes. The symptoms are usually temporary, and taste and smell should significantly improve or return within 4 weeks. However, in some cases, this may take up to 6 months. If a person does experience a sudden and unexpected loss of taste and smell, they should self-isolate and take a COVID-19 test. - [Respiratory](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/categories/respiratory) - [Flu / Cold / SARS](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/categories/flu-sars) - [Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/categories/infectious_diseases) - [COVID-19](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/categories/covid-19) ### How we reviewed this article: Sources Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our [editorial policy](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/process). - Brämerson, A., *et al.* (2004). Prevalence of olfactory dysfunction: The Skövde population‐based study. <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1097/00005537-200404000-00026> - Five things to know about smell and taste loss in COVID-19. (2020). <https://www.vumc.org/coronavirus/latest-news/five-things-know-about-smell-and-taste-loss-covid-19> - Lechien, J. R., *et al.* (2021). Prevalence and 6-month recovery of olfactory dysfunction: A multicentre study of 1363 COVID-19 patients. <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joim.13209> - Lee, Y., *et al.* (2020). Prevalence and duration of acute loss of smell or taste in COVID-19 patients. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7211515/> - Mullol, J., *et al*. (2020). The loss of smell and taste in the COVID-19 outbreak: A tale of many countries. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7397453/> - Self assessment: How’s my sense of smell? (2019). <https://abscent.org/application/files/5515/7532/6861/Self_assessment.pdf> - Smell disorders. (2017). <https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders> - Symptoms of coronavirus. (2020). <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html> - Taste disorders. (2017). <https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taste-disorders> - Tong, J. Y., *et al.* (2020). The prevalence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0194599820926473> - Walker, A., *et al.* (2020). Anosmia and loss of smell in the era of COVID-19. <https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2808> - Welcome to smell training. (n.d.). <https://abscent.org/learn-us/smell-training> Share this article  [Medically reviewed]() by [Joseph Vinetz, MD]() — Written by [Aaron Kandola]() on January 12, 2021 ## Latest news - [Could probiotics, dietary changes help protect brain health as we age?](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-probiotics-dietary-changes-help-protect-brain-health-as-we-age) - [9 steps to improve heart health, per new dietary guidance from AHA](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9-steps-improve-heart-health-diet-guidance-aha) - [AI model can accurately predict liver cancer risk, study suggests](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ai-model-accurately-predict-liver-cancer-risk) - [AI-powered stroke tool linked to improved patient outcomes in large clinical trial](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ai-powered-stroke-tool-linked-improved-patient-outcomes-large-clinical-trial) - [Eating same meals on repeat, and more at weekends may help you lose more weight](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/eating-same-meals-repeat-more-weekends-may-help-lose-more-weight) ### Related Coverage - [Dry cough and COVID-19: What to know](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dry-cough-covid?utm_source=ReadNext) Medically reviewed by [Raj Dasgupta, MD](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/reviewers) [A dry cough is a common and early symptom of COVID-19, especially in adults. 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COVID-19 typically produces a range of flu-like symptoms, including a cough and fatigue, but it can also cause the loss of taste and smell. Taste and smell can return or get better within 4 weeks of the virus clearing the body, but it may sometimes take months for them to improve. A loss of taste and smell is a [common early symptom](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joim.13209) of COVID-19. Therefore, anyone who notices changes in these senses should start self-isolating and get a COVID-19 test. Changes might include: - taste and smell being less sensitive than normal - no sense of smell or taste - foods tasting strange - odors smelling unusual When a person contracts SARS-CoV-2 and develops COVID-19, the loss of taste and smell [could be](https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2808) their only symptom. This article discusses the loss of taste and smell as a symptom of COVID-19, including how to cope and when to seek medical help. A 2020 meta-analysis observed that [53% of people](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0194599820926473) who contracted COVID-19 had problems with taste and smell. A loss of taste or smell, or a reduction in these senses, may present early and could be an initial symptom of COVID-19. The researchers note that if more people knew this, it could encourage earlier diagnosis and treatment. According to one [2020 study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7397453/), a sudden, severe loss of taste and smell in the absence of an allergy or other chronic nasal condition could be an early symptom of COVID-19. However, if someone is experiencing any sort of unexpected dysfunction in taste and smell, even if it is mild, they should self-isolate and get a test for COVID-19. This loss of taste and smell may occur in people who have no other symptoms of COVID-19. To test for a loss of taste at home, a person should try foods with strong seasoning and check whether they can detect any differences between the flavors. A person can test their sense of smell by choosing two items with strong and contrasting aromas, such as [coffee](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270202) granules and an orange, and smelling them individually to see whether they can detect any differences. [AbScent](https://abscent.org/), a United Kingdom charity for people with smell or taste problems, provide a [useful checklist](https://abscent.org/application/files/5515/7532/6861/Self_assessment.pdf) that a person can use to assess and track their smell loss at home. If anyone wants to use the checklist to monitor a loss of taste, they can apply the questions to taste instead. Doctors use different tests to diagnose a loss of taste and smell. To diagnose a loss of taste, they [may conduct](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taste-disorders) a “sip, spit, and rinse” test. To confirm a loss of smell, they [may use](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders) a booklet containing tiny beads that produce different smells when someone scratches them. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, a person may not be able to undergo one of these tests in person at a doctor’s surgery. If a person has recently lost their sense of taste or smell and wants medical advice, they should call their doctor and speak with them over the phone. Losing taste and smell suddenly [could be](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7397453/) an early symptom of COVID-19, so a person who experiences this should start self-isolating and get a COVID-19 test. In most cases, the loss of smell and taste due to COVID-19 is temporary. The researchers behind a [multicenter study](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joim.13209) found that at 2 months, 75–80% of people had regained their taste and smell, with 95% having regained these senses at 6 months. They further noted that people who lost their taste and smell also experienced milder COVID-19 symptoms. In [rarer](https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2808) cases, people may require ongoing treatment and monitoring of their taste and smell. Taste and smell are an important part of everyday life. Losing [taste](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taste-disorders) and [smell](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders) is often very unsettling, as these senses have a major influence on food preferences. When a person can no longer taste or smell, they may experience changes in body weight due to no longer eating the same foods they used to enjoy. If a person has lost their taste and smell due to COVID-19, they should start noticing significant improvements in[4 weeks](https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2808), though a full recovery may take [6 months or more](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joim.13209). Focusing on the symptoms as temporary is a good strategy when feeling overwhelmed about not tasting or smelling anything. When a person can no longer taste or smell their food properly, they can take steps to make meals more exciting. These [include](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taste-disorders): - choosing meals with a variety of colors and textures - using aromatic herbs and spices for stronger flavors - adding cheese, bacon bits, olive oil, or toasted nuts - avoiding meals that combine many ingredients, such as casseroles, as these recipes may dull the flavor of each individual food Some people may benefit from smell training to help their sense of smell return sooner. The training involves smelling four scents for about [20 seconds](https://abscent.org/learn-us/smell-training) each per day. Concentrating on each smell could help with recovery. A person could apply this training to taste by choosing different flavors of foods. People struggling with a loss of taste and smell may also benefit from joining online support groups and forums. It remains unclear why COVID-19 can affect taste and smell so much. One [theory](https://www.vumc.org/coronavirus/latest-news/five-things-know-about-smell-and-taste-loss-covid-19) is that SARS-CoV-2, as with some other similar viruses, causes [inflammation](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423) inside the nose that leads to a loss of olfactory or smell neurons. Researchers also note that the expression of the human cell receptors to which SARS-CoV-2 binds is higher in the nasal cavity and cells in the olfactory tissue. The loss of smell and taste could be an early symptom of COVID-19 and may be the only symptom a person experiences. Other symptoms to look out for [include](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html): - a cough - a [sore throat](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155412) - congestion - [tiredness](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248002) - head and body aches - [fever](http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168266) or chills - shortness of breath People with these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider online or over the phone. They should also self-isolate and take a COVID-19 test. If someone has severe symptoms — for example, they are struggling to breathe — they should seek emergency medical care. The loss of taste and smell can be an early sign of COVID-19. People could experience a partial or full loss of these senses. The loss of the senses of taste and smell can sometimes be the only symptom that COVID-19 causes. The symptoms are usually temporary, and taste and smell should significantly improve or return within 4 weeks. However, in some cases, this may take up to 6 months. If a person does experience a sudden and unexpected loss of taste and smell, they should self-isolate and take a COVID-19 test.