Relvar inhaler and loss of taste

[Jennypin]

I have not had COVID and am double vaccinated with the Pfizer jab

I take one puff of Relvar inhaler daily and rinse my mouth out

Over the past few weeks I have lost my sense of taste ,I can identify acidity but I can’t taste a cup of coffee of any strength

Any thoughts

[floating_]

Have you done a COVID test to be sure?

[Jennypin in reply to floating_]

Yes I have done two lateral flow tests last week both negative I wonder if I should get an antibody test to see if I had it mildly ?

[floating_ in reply to Jennypin]

Might be worth doing it and checking in with your GP too. I suppose it is possible that Relvar is the culprit though, but it's better to find out for sure!!

Take care. Maybe someone else more knowledgeable will come along with some insight!

[twinkly29]

Lateral flow are supposed to be used to detect the virus in asymptomatic people. If one has symptoms (which loss of taste would be) a PCR is supposed to be used because lateral flow are less reliable if one has symptoms. So you should maybe do a PCR first rather than an antibody test as although it can last some time (loss of taste), it would appear when one actually had covid not ages afterwards I would think.

[Younie]

As others have said as you are symptomatic of COVID, you need to book a PCR test, not a lateral flow as its not reliable for symptomatic people. And please dont think that because you have 2 vaccines that you dont have it, theres still a high chance of getting it and passing it on, it just reduces the chance of becoming severly ill.

[twinkly29 in reply to Younie]

Absolutely re the vaccines! So many people (not on here but generally) seem to not grasp that while transmission is reduced with being vaccinated, the main point is to reduce illness severity. Sorry soap box moment there!