Yes a cold virus can make some people lose their appetite.
When you have the cold virus you don't really feel like eating and sometimes I will force at least some chicken broth or chicken noodle soup down myself to help keep me at least partially energized and keep the hunger at bay.
After a few days or so I am regaining my appetite and am eating again.
I always lose my appetite when I have the flu or even the cold virus.
Losing your appetite with the flu or cold virus is very normal and not everyone wants to eat anything when they have the flu or cold virus.
The flu and cold virus drains us of energy and we need food to increase energy but when we are sick with the flu or cold we don't feel like eating.
Usually after a few days of the flu I get my appetite back and start eating normal foods.
But when I have the flu and lose my appetite I usually try to eat some chicken noodle soup or at least drink some chicken soup broth.
Having something inside me helps keep the hunger at bay even when I lose my appetite.