How can I get sense of taste and smell back after covid infection?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Most people recover their sense of taste and smell within about one month after a COVID-19 infection. Studies show that more than 80% of individuals experience a full return of these senses within four weeks, though some may take longer to regain them completely.

If you're currently dealing with a loss of taste or smell—or other lingering symptoms—it's worth understanding what could be driving it. Symptoms like these can stem from many causes beyond COVID, including sinus issues, allergies, or other conditions that may need attention. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify possible causes based on your specific situation and guide you toward the right next steps, whether that's self-care at home or seeing a healthcare provider. It only takes about 3 minutes and could save you time, worry, and unnecessary uncertainty.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what causes taste and smell changes Discover if your symptoms need urgent care See if loss of taste needs evaluation Find OTC options for taste and smell loss Find a doctor for taste and smell issues Discover home remedies for smell and taste changes Understand likely causes of your taste loss

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Explanation

Taste and smell disorders following COVID-19 infection are common. Fortunately, most people will fully recover (80%) while a smaller number of people will have only partial recovery (20%). A much smaller percentage will have no recovery of their taste or smell. Even if recovery does not occur within a month, gradual recovery has been reported. If you're experiencing changes in taste and smell or other concerning symptoms, try our free AI-powered symptom checker to better understand what might be causing them, as these changes may also be caused by other infectious diseases such as sinusitis or chronic cigarette smoking.

(References)

Othieno F, Schlosser RJ, Rowan NR, Storck KA, Mattos JL, Smith TL, Soler ZM. Taste impairment in chronic rhinosinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2018 Jul;8(7):783-789. doi: 10.1002/alr.22113. Epub 2018 Mar 23. PMID: 29569385; PMCID: PMC6582951.
Mitchell MB, Workman AD, Rathi VK, Bhattacharyya N. Smell and Taste Loss Associated with COVID-19 Infection. Laryngoscope. 2023 Sep;133(9):2357-2361. doi: 10.1002/lary.30802. Epub 2023 Jun 2. PMID: 37265267.
Mitchell MB, Workman AD, Rathi VK, Bhattacharyya N. Smell and Taste Loss Associated with COVID-19 Infection. Laryngoscope. 2023 Sep;133(9):2357-2361. doi: 10.1002/lary.30802. Epub 2023 Jun 2. PMID: 37265267.

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