Post by Wubs (she/her) on Jul 20, 2024 10:37:47 GMT
Tongue symptom could be red flag for Covid as new variant causes concern
Cases of Covid have begun to rise again in the UK with some hospitals reissuing mask mandates and others telling people with symptoms to stay away.
By Fiona Callingham - 15:26 12 Jul 2024
Most of us have heard of the common symptoms of COVID-19 that made headlines at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. For example, a persistent cough, loss of taste and smell and fatigue were among the key signs to spot.
But there are some more unusual symptoms of Covid that you might not be aware of. The Zoe Health Study, which was a survey launched in 2020 to track any emerging symptoms and trends of the virus, listed “Covid tongue” is a potential sign of infection.
The term Covid tongue refers to any changes to the mouth or tongue caused by the virus. Zoe reports how “many” people noted that their tongue was white and patchy and “didn’t look normal” around the time they tested positive.
In a post, one of the co-founders of Zoe, Professor Tim Spector shared a photo of a white and patchy tongue on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. He explained: “One in five people with Covid still present with less common symptoms that don’t get on the official Public Health England list - such as skin rashes. Seeing increasing numbers of Covid tongues and strange mouth ulcers.”
This symptom has been explored by a number of researchers. A scientific review of studies, published in Dermatologic Therapy journal in 2020, noted a number of changes in the mouth linked to Covid.
It found that having a dry mouth was the most common issue, followed by loss of taste (dysgeusia) and a fungal infection (oral thrush). They also described changes in tongue sensation, muscle pain while chewing, swelling in the mouth, and ulcers on the tongue or inner surface of the mouth and lips, although these were less common.
A separate study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, showed that within a group of 666 patients in Spain hospitalised with COVID-19, a quarter of them had changes to their mouth or tongue. Medical News Today also reports that Covid tongue could cause swelling, a burning sensation, and rough, bumpy surface skin on the tongue.
It is not known exactly why Covid tongue occurs but infections, in general, can cause changes to the oral cavity. However, the symptom is resolve itself once the Covid infection has passed, which usually takes around two weeks.
Some over-the-counter treatments have been shown to help, including:
However, if the problem persists after two weeks it is worth speaking to your GP.
In recent weeks, health experts have voiced concern over the new FLiRT Covid variant that is thought to have caused a surge in cases in the UK. As a result, some hospitals have also reintroduced face masks and others are telling people to stay away if they experience Covid symptoms.
The most recent figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show deaths and hospitalisations due to Covid have increased in England. In the week up to June 28, there were 2,797 Covid patients admitted to hospital, 61 patients more than in the previous week. In the same period there were 168 deaths, 25 more than the week before.
But there are some more unusual symptoms of Covid that you might not be aware of. The Zoe Health Study, which was a survey launched in 2020 to track any emerging symptoms and trends of the virus, listed “Covid tongue” is a potential sign of infection.
The term Covid tongue refers to any changes to the mouth or tongue caused by the virus. Zoe reports how “many” people noted that their tongue was white and patchy and “didn’t look normal” around the time they tested positive.
In a post, one of the co-founders of Zoe, Professor Tim Spector shared a photo of a white and patchy tongue on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. He explained: “One in five people with Covid still present with less common symptoms that don’t get on the official Public Health England list - such as skin rashes. Seeing increasing numbers of Covid tongues and strange mouth ulcers.”
This symptom has been explored by a number of researchers. A scientific review of studies, published in Dermatologic Therapy journal in 2020, noted a number of changes in the mouth linked to Covid.
It found that having a dry mouth was the most common issue, followed by loss of taste (dysgeusia) and a fungal infection (oral thrush). They also described changes in tongue sensation, muscle pain while chewing, swelling in the mouth, and ulcers on the tongue or inner surface of the mouth and lips, although these were less common.
A separate study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, showed that within a group of 666 patients in Spain hospitalised with COVID-19, a quarter of them had changes to their mouth or tongue. Medical News Today also reports that Covid tongue could cause swelling, a burning sensation, and rough, bumpy surface skin on the tongue.
It is not known exactly why Covid tongue occurs but infections, in general, can cause changes to the oral cavity. However, the symptom is resolve itself once the Covid infection has passed, which usually takes around two weeks.
Some over-the-counter treatments have been shown to help, including:
- Antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial mouthwashes for white patches and ulcers
- Saliva substitutes for dry mouth
- Lozenges to trigger saliva production
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen for tongue swelling and pain.
However, if the problem persists after two weeks it is worth speaking to your GP.
In recent weeks, health experts have voiced concern over the new FLiRT Covid variant that is thought to have caused a surge in cases in the UK. As a result, some hospitals have also reintroduced face masks and others are telling people to stay away if they experience Covid symptoms.
The most recent figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show deaths and hospitalisations due to Covid have increased in England. In the week up to June 28, there were 2,797 Covid patients admitted to hospital, 61 patients more than in the previous week. In the same period there were 168 deaths, 25 more than the week before.
