Can you taste a virus like you can an infection?

[IamSamantha]

I've been coughing for a while and have that metallic infection taste you get when you're unwell. Does this mean antibiotics or virus? I feel like I've been ill since October with constant colds and flu.

I'm trying to work out do I go back to gp due to cough and feeling ill (this will be my 3rd visit since October. 1 course of antibiotics given) or do I hold out for longer?

I would hold out. The nasty taste is literally the cough and mucus. An infection is more likely to be pain when you cough and a fever

Thanks

A bacterial infection usually produces green phlegm. The cough usually sounded more rattling. If you Google phlegm charts you should find some.

Hiya - just found this searching for metallic taste - have had a cough bringing up phlegm few times a day for about a month now and the same rank taste too and just knackered- is that similar to what you have? Don't want to hassle GP as not sure they could do anything but this is dragging onnnnn