‘COVID Tongue’ Is Definitely a Thing—Here’s What It Is and How to Know if You Have It

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‘COVID *******’ Is Definitely a Thing—Here’s What It Is and How to Know if You Have It

In the early days of COVID, it felt like we were learning new things about the virus in real time daily. Its severity, especially for specific populations like older adults and the immunocompromised, and the reality that the virus could cause temporary loss of taste and smell were rather unsettling.

Since then, we’ve learned a lot about the virus, but staying current on potential signs, symptoms and side effects is still critical.

“We have gone from pandemic COVID to endemic COVID, which means it will be with us for a long time to come,” says 

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, the director of infection prevention at the Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston. “It is going to be important to understand all the possible presentations of the virus.”

One of those presentations is the “COVID *******,” which is not a clinical diagnosis. However, if you experience the sore ******* and throat that COVID-19 can trigger, you’re not imagining things. What can you do about COVID ******* symptoms, and are they preventable? Here’s what doctors want you to know about COVID ******* sores, the mysterious white coating and how long it’ll last.

Related: Here’s What You Can Expect COVID Symptoms to Look Like Day by Day—and Why Days 5 through 10 Are the Most Important

What Is COVID *******?

Clinically, it’s known as “glossitis,” but it’s become known as “COVID *******” because you might experience it if you catch the virus. “COVID ******* refers to a rare but well-described condition in acute infection where the taste buds are attacked and temporarily damaged by the virus,” Dr. Yancey explains.

COVID ******* symptoms vary.

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, an otolaryngologist (ENT) and laryngologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center says they might include:

About the white COVID ******* photos you may see on social media: It’s a common

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, and you’ll likely notice it around the papillae.

Importantly, these symptoms can also pop up because of other issues, so it’s important not to assume you have COVID if you notice ***** symptoms like sores, says

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, the associate chair of medicine at Staten Island University Hospital. Dr. Gut explains that other reasons for glossitis include the following:

Other viral infections

Dry mouth

Allergies

What Causes COVID *******?

COVID spreads via droplets, and the mouth we use to breathe and eat is one of the virus’s favorite “doorways.” Dr. Gut says that scientists have theorized that COVID-19 starts to ******* the bumps on the ******* (papilla) by using what’s known as an angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor (ACE-2). The theory has “been held as a plausible scenario based on the increased presence of ACE2-receptors in areas of the mouth where COVID has been known to affect,” Dr. Gut explains.

As a result, COVID ******* symptoms can occur, including inflammation and swelling. The effect it has on taste buds can impact how you enjoy food for a bit.

“COVID ******* may represent loss of taste buds or papillae on the lining of the *******,” Dr. Mehdizadeh says.

Related: The #1 COVID Symptom to Look Out For, According to Infectious ******** Experts

How Common Are COVID ******* Sores And Other Symptoms?

It’s not the most common symptom of the virus. However, people have reported it since COVID-19 became a part of our lives in 2020. For instance, a

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people in Spain found that more than a quarter experienced ***** issues, including ******* swelling, redness and inflammation.

While that is a significant number, more recent studies found fewer people experience COVID-19 symptoms.

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put the number at about 15%, while

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found that 20.5% of people reported signs associated with COVID *******, like lesions.

Still, the authors of the 

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on COVID ******* called for more data because of “the ever-increasing rise in the number of ***** infections attributed to the SARS-COV-2 virus.”

Can You Treat or Prevent COVID *******?

No, and not really. “There is no consensus on formal treatments,” Dr. Mehdizadeh says. “Remedies utilized in the literature include multivitamins and minerals, anti-septic ***** rinses and antifungals if indicated—perhaps topical steroids if recommended by a provider.”

The good news? “This tends to be a temporary issue that resolved on its own,” Dr. Yancey says.

The time it takes for COVID ******* symptoms to clear up varies, but Dr. Mehdizadeh puts it in the “days to weeks” range. While the symptom is rare and generally uncomfortable but not life-threatening, Dr. Mehdizadeh advises people to see a doctor if they are experiencing:

Severe pain

Difficulty swallowing

Severe swelling

Problems breathing

The only true way to prevent COVID ******* is to avoid getting COVID in the first place. Dr. Yancey also stresses that vaccination is the best way to avoid severe cases and symptoms of the virus.

Up Next: Get Ready to Fill up That Grocery Cart, Because We Found 20 Doctor-Approved Foods That ****** Infection

Sources

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#COVID #******* #ThingHeres

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