Urine tests can help diagnose kidney infections or pregnancy. Other tests are also possible in certain cases. Malnutrition , which is a lack of necessary food and nutrients in the body, is a concern if a loss of appetite lasts for more than a few weeks. Other long-term effects are related to the cause. For instance, diabetes can cause damage to many different organs in the body, including the kidneys, eyes, and nerves.
Cancer can cause death.
Infections that can be treated with antibiotics often go away and have no long-term effects. A loss of appetite is not contagious and poses no risk to others. However, the cause of a loss of appetite, such as an infection like pneumonia, may be contagious. There are medications available to try to stimulate appetite in people with an incurable cause for their loss of appetite. These medications include megestrol and dronabinol.