Loss of taste remains a common symptom in COVID-19, though its prevalence and severity have changed with new variants and vaccination.
The Persistent Symptom: Why Taste Loss Still Occurs
COVID-19’s hallmark symptoms evolved over time, but one of the most distinctive and disruptive effects has been the loss of taste, medically known as ageusia or dysgeusia when altered. Even as vaccines rolled out and new variants emerged, many wondered: are people still losing taste with COVID-19? The answer is yes, though the frequency and intensity have shifted.
In the early pandemic waves, loss of taste affected a significant portion of infected individuals—studies suggested anywhere from 30% to 80% depending on demographics and diagnostic methods. This symptom often accompanied anosmia (loss of smell), which together severely impaired flavor perception. The virus attacks cells in the nasal cavity and oral mucosa that support sensory neurons, disrupting signal transmission to the brain.
With newer variants like Omicron, anecdotal reports and clinical data indicate that while loss of taste still happens, it tends to be less common or less severe. Vaccination also appears to reduce the likelihood of severe sensory symptoms. However, certain populations remain vulnerable to prolonged or persistent taste disturbances even months after infection.
How SARS-CoV-2 Causes Taste Loss
Understanding why people lose taste with COVID-19 requires a look at the virus’s interaction with sensory systems. SARS-CoV-2 primarily enters cells via the ACE2 receptor. These receptors are abundant not only in lung tissue but also in cells lining the nasal passages and tongue.
The main mechanisms behind taste loss include:
- Direct viral damage: The virus infects supporting cells around taste buds, causing inflammation and dysfunction.
- Neural disruption: Inflammation can impair cranial nerves (especially the facial nerve) responsible for transmitting taste signals.
- Olfactory impairment: Since smell heavily influences flavor perception, anosmia indirectly contributes to diminished taste experience.
Taste buds regenerate approximately every 10 days under normal conditions. However, COVID-related damage can slow this process or cause longer-lasting nerve injury, leading to persistent symptoms.
Taste Loss vs. Smell Loss: What’s The Difference?
People often confuse loss of taste with loss of smell because both affect flavor perception dramatically. True ageusia means an inability to detect basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Anosmia refers to a total or partial loss of smell.
Most COVID patients experience a combination where smell loss dominates. This is why some report foods tasting bland or “off” rather than completely tasteless. Differentiating these can help guide treatment strategies.
The Evolution of Taste Loss Prevalence Over COVID-19 Waves
Tracking how often people lost their sense of taste throughout different COVID-19 waves reveals interesting patterns:
| COVID-19 Variant | Taste Loss Prevalence (%) | Notes on Symptom Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Original Wuhan Strain | 40 – 60% | High severity; often sudden onset; frequently combined with anosmia |
| Alpha Variant | 30 – 50% | Slightly reduced incidence; similar severity profile |
| Delta Variant | 20 – 40% | Taste loss less common; symptoms more respiratory-focused |
| Omicron Variant (BA.1 & BA.2) | 10 – 25% | Milder sensory symptoms; higher rates of sore throat and congestion |
| Omicron Subvariants (BA.4/BA.5) | <10% | Taste loss rare; brief duration when present |
This trend shows a marked decline in both frequency and intensity with successive variants, especially Omicron subvariants dominating recent waves.
The Role of Vaccination in Reducing Taste Loss
Vaccines do more than prevent severe disease—they also reduce symptom burden in breakthrough infections. Data comparing vaccinated versus unvaccinated individuals indicate:
- A lower likelihood of experiencing complete taste loss.
- Milder duration if symptoms occur.
- A faster recovery timeline for sensory functions.
Vaccination appears to modulate immune response so that inflammation causing nerve or epithelial damage is less intense or prolonged.
The Duration and Recovery from COVID-Related Taste Loss
For many patients who lose their sense of taste during COVID-19 infection, recovery occurs within weeks as inflammation subsides and damaged cells regenerate. However, some face lingering issues lasting months—a condition known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or long COVID.
Studies tracking recovery times show:
- Majority recover within four weeks.
- A smaller subset experience partial recovery over months.
- A minority suffer persistent dysgeusia beyond six months.
Persistent taste disturbances can range from reduced sensitivity to distorted flavors that affect appetite and nutrition.
Treatment Approaches for Persistent Taste Loss
No universally effective cure exists yet for long-lasting COVID-related taste dysfunctions but several strategies help:
- Zinc supplementation: Zinc plays a role in cell regeneration and immune function; some patients report improvement.
- Taste retraining exercises: Repeated exposure to different flavors may help “reboot” neural pathways.
- Corticosteroids: In select cases where inflammation persists, short-term steroids may be prescribed by specialists.
Ongoing research continues into therapies targeting nerve regeneration and reducing chronic inflammation.
The Broader Impact of Taste Loss During the Pandemic
Losing one’s sense of taste isn’t just an inconvenience—it impacts quality of life profoundly. Food becomes bland or unpleasant, which can lead to poor appetite and unintended weight changes. Psychological effects include frustration, anxiety about lingering symptoms, even depression in severe cases.
Healthcare providers now recognize sensory symptoms as important markers for diagnosis and prognosis during COVID outbreaks. Early detection helps isolate cases sooner since sudden onset anosmia/taste loss strongly correlates with infection.
Taste Loss as a Diagnostic Clue for COVID-19 Infection
During peak waves before widespread testing was available, sudden changes in smell or taste were red flags prompting self-isolation even without other symptoms like fever or cough.
While no longer exclusive indicators due to variant shifts, clinicians still ask about these symptoms when assessing possible infections—especially since they tend to appear early after viral exposure.
Are People Still Losing Taste With COVID-19? Current Evidence Synthesis
Yes—people continue experiencing loss of taste with COVID-19 infections today but far less frequently than during early pandemic stages. The combination of viral evolution toward milder upper respiratory tract involvement plus widespread immunity from vaccines has reshaped symptom profiles drastically.
Those infected now typically face shorter symptom duration overall with fewer neurological impacts such as profound ageusia or anosmia. Nonetheless:
- The symptom remains notable enough that medical professionals monitor it closely.
- A small percentage develop persistent issues requiring supportive care.
- Taste loss continues serving as a useful clinical indicator when evaluating new cases.
It’s crucial not to dismiss ongoing sensory complaints related to COVID infections—they reflect complex interactions between viral pathogenesis and host response still under study today.
Key Takeaways: Are People Still Losing Taste With COVID-19?
➤ Loss of taste remains a common symptom.
➤ New variants may affect symptom prevalence.
➤ Vaccination reduces severity of taste loss.
➤ Recovery time varies among individuals.
➤ Taste loss can impact nutrition and wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are people still losing taste with COVID-19?
Yes, people are still losing taste with COVID-19, although it is less common and often less severe compared to earlier variants. Vaccination and new strains like Omicron have reduced the frequency of this symptom, but it remains a notable effect for some individuals.
Why are people still losing taste with COVID-19 despite vaccinations?
Vaccinations reduce the severity of symptoms but do not completely prevent loss of taste. The virus can still affect cells in the nasal cavity and tongue that support sensory neurons, leading to temporary or prolonged taste disturbances even in vaccinated individuals.
How does COVID-19 cause people to lose taste?
COVID-19 causes loss of taste by damaging supporting cells around taste buds and disrupting nerve signals. The virus infects cells with ACE2 receptors in the mouth and nasal passages, causing inflammation that impairs taste transmission to the brain.
Are certain people more likely to lose taste with COVID-19?
Certain populations remain vulnerable to prolonged or persistent taste loss after infection. Factors such as age, underlying health conditions, and severity of infection may influence how long and how intensely someone experiences this symptom.
Is loss of taste from COVID-19 permanent for some people?
While most people recover their sense of taste within weeks, some experience longer-lasting or persistent taste disturbances. Damage to nerves or slower regeneration of taste buds can cause symptoms to continue for months in rare cases.
Conclusion – Are People Still Losing Taste With COVID-19?
Loss of taste remains an active symptom linked to COVID-19 but at diminished rates compared to initial outbreaks. Vaccines plus evolving viral genetics have softened this hallmark sign without eliminating it entirely.
People do still lose their sense of taste during infection—sometimes briefly, sometimes persistently—and this impacts nutrition and wellbeing significantly enough that healthcare systems prioritize its recognition and management.
The story isn’t over yet: ongoing surveillance combined with emerging treatments will shape how we address this peculiar yet powerful symptom moving forward in our fight against SARS-CoV-2 variants old and new.