What is Covid tongue? Learn about this indicator for new variants that may manifest in your mouth | Symptoms & more
Covid symptoms, emerging evidence now suggests that a notable sign may manifest in the mouth of an infected individual, alerting them to the presence of new Covid variants.
A Noteworthy Red Flag
Dr. Johannes Uys, a General Practitioner at the Broadgate General Practice in London, has identified a potential red flag for Covid infection: "Covid tongue." This oral manifestation could provide a distinctive warning linked to emerging variants like HV.1 and JN.1.
Distinctive Oral Indicator of Infection
Covid tongue primarily involves tongue swelling or inflammation, with several associated peculiarities. Some individuals might observe patches of discoloration, an increased whiteness, or, conversely, excessive redness and a burning sensation in the tongue. Loss of taste and varying degrees of numbness may accompany these symptoms, sometimes leading to the development of bumps and ulcers that may require separate treatment.
Underlining the Diversity in Manifestation
The Zoe Covid Study App users also reported similar oral manifestations, drawing attention to deviations in tongue appearance as a potential Covid indicator. Dr. Uys explained that Covid tongue's occurrence can be attributed to various factors, including the immune response to the virus and the presence of numerous ACE receptors in the mouth.
Understanding the Mechanism
The phenomenon of Covid tongue may occur due to the virus attaching itself to these receptors and infiltrating the oral cells, leading to inflammation and the observed symptoms. Dr. Uys suggested seeking medical advice when experiencing Covid tongue, especially as some may require prescribed medications to alleviate the inflammation.
Rare, Self-Resolving Symptom
The good news
