What Causes Impaired Taste When Diagnosed With Flu?

Posted on Thu, 4 May 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 4 May 2017 Answered on

Wed, 31 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had the flu as diagnosed by my Doc's P.A. Been sick for a week now and getting better. I was quite ill. I'm concerned about my sense of taste. Everything I eat of drink tastes pretty awful. Been drink a lot of Gatoraide and soft drinks. No spicy or fried foods. No booze. No milk. Can lose my sensation of taste at my age ?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No, your sense of taste would return with healing!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this apparently loss of sense of taste. This is not uncommon during and shortly after an infection, especially severe infections. The good news is that this is often regained back to 100% as the infection is totally controlled. I will suggest that you exercise some patience and within 3-5days, you must have noticed and would report significant improvement in your sense of taste. You will not lose your sense of taste at this age.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar