Viral Infection
It’s no secret that viral infections can cause many symptoms, from the run-of-the-mill sore throat and fever to more severe conditions like pneumonia. But did you know that appetite loss is one of a viral infection’s most common and often overlooked symptoms?
A viral infection can easily disrupt the appetite, whether it’s a stomach virus or the flu. For example, loss of appetite is one of the most common symptoms of the flu, with some estimates suggesting that as many as 80% of people who get the flu will experience some degree of appetite loss.
There are a few different mechanisms by which viral infections can cause appetite loss. One is simply feeling sick, particularly with a fever, can make one feel too uncomfortable to eat. Additionally, many viruses, such as the stomach flu, cause nausea and vomiting, which can further discourage you from eating.
Another reason viral infections can lead to appetite loss is that they can cause inflammation throughout the body. Too much inflammation can lead to what’s known as “cytokine storms,” in which the body produces too many specific inflammatory proteins that are likely to contribute to appetite loss.
