Taste and smell gone?

I got a cold a week ago, it ran its course, and was mostly a sore throat, stuff and runny nose. Since it's started to go away, I can breath fine again but now cannot taste or smell anything. Is this normal? Has anyone had experience with this? I hope it comes back soon!!!

[Duffy525]

I'm male aged 81. Last year a flu type virus lasted about two months and "destroyed" the better part of my taste. I had another virus again this winter and the result is that I now have almost no sense of taste whatever. Neither my family doctor nor an ear, nose and throat specialist can help with any treatment. HELP!

[achefsomeday]

HI,
I posted as message a while back regarding the exact same thing. I had a bad bout of bronchitis in February and was on antibiotics and steriods, which killed the virus and everything else in me! I lost my taste and smell and still have not got it back. Coffee still smells like burned, something, I really can't explain it. Sometimes I can taste a little but not at all like before. My doctor of 15 years assured me it would return - still waiting. I did opt to take Zinc, once a day. I think it's helped a little. Please let me know how you are now. Can you relate with the weird burned smell?