Yes, COVID-19 can absolutely cause you to lose your voice or make it hoarse, primarily due to inflammation of the voice box (laryngitis), which is a common symptom, especially with variants like Omicron that target the upper airways. This inflammation leads to a raspy voice, sore throat, frequent throat clearing, and cough, usually resolving in a couple of weeks, but sometimes lingering as part of long COVID.
These are different from common symptoms from other COVID-19 variants. Q: Can COVID-19 cause voice issues? A: Yes, COVID-19 can cause voice issues. Some people infected with COVID-19 may experience hoarseness, loss of voice, or difficulty speaking due to inflammation and swelling in the larynx and vocal cords.
Your voice should start to recover, as you start to feel stronger, your breathing improves and the inflammation of your upper airway reduces. This could take 6-8 weeks, but you should start to see an improvement after two weeks.
Key Takeaways
A new strain of COVID-19, XFG, is spreading rapidly across the world, including in the United States. Anecdotally, people who have the XFG strain are reporting hoarseness as a specific COVID-19 symptom.
June 26, 2025 – The new COVID-19 variant that now makes up about a third of U.S. COVID cases has a signature symptom: a painful sore throat that feels like "razor blades." "This 'razor blade sore throat' was reported as a common symptom in China," where the variant first emerged in May, said Matthew S.
Remedies for COVID sore throat include over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, warm or cold fluids, and throat rest. A COVID sore throat usually goes away within 10 days. Seek medical care if your sore throat isn't getting better within a week or it gets worse at any point.
Common New COVID Variant Symptoms in 2025
Current guidelines note that “alarm symptoms” or red flags such as recent head, neck, or chest surgery or intubation, concomitant respiratory distress or stridor, presence of a neck mass, history of tobacco abuse, or professional use of the voice should prompt escalation of care and referral for direct visualization.
What are the symptoms of COVID lung damage? If you're currently sick with COVID, symptoms of conditions caused by lung damage could include: Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath. Extreme fatigue/tiredness.
Some self-care methods and home treatments may relieve the symptoms of laryngitis and reduce strain on your voice:
What are the most common symptoms of long COVID?
Someone may lose their voice for many reasons that are unrelated to sickness, or infection. These causes may range from vocal overuse and laryngopharyngeal reflux to laryngeal cancer. A person needs to speak with their doctor if they have been hoarse for more than 3 weeks .
You may have difficulties eating and drinking after having COVID-19. This can affect your voice and communication. You may also become tired more easily or feel short of breath.
Unusual COVID-19 symptoms: What are they?
Some people may have symptoms that get worse about 5 to 7 days after symptoms start. Most people with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. But COVID-19 can cause serious medical complications and lead to death. Older adults and people who already have medical conditions are at greater risk of serious illness.
Researchers in Japan have pinpointed a biological cause of Long COVID brain fog using advanced PET brain imaging. They discovered widespread increases in AMPA receptor density linked to cognitive impairment and inflammation.
The best way to prevent COVID pneumonia is to take steps to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 and other conditions that can damage your lungs. Ways to reduce your risk include: Getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, which can cause bacterial pneumonia.
Deep breathing technique
Covid-19 and Voice Problems
Some people may have problems with their voice after having Covid-19, such as: Your voice may tire quickly. You may feel breathless when speaking. Your voice may sound hoarse (dysphonia).
Most hoarseness happens because you overuse your voice and goes away on its own. But you should talk to a healthcare provider if your voice is hoarse for three weeks or longer or if there are other concerning signs. Contact a provider right away if you notice that: It hurts when you speak or swallow.
Common causes of a hoarse voice
In addition to upper respiratory infections and overuse, your hoarse voice could be a symptom of: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): when stomach acid travels up your esophagus and irritates your larynx. Vocal polyps, nodules, or cysts: bumps on your vocal folds.
Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or a cold? COVID-19 symptoms usually start 2 to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. But symptoms of a common cold usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. There's no cure for the common cold.
Take Over-The-Counter Medications
If used accurately, they can shorten the duration of illness by about 24 hours and decrease the risk of complications, especially in high-risk populations. If your symptoms include a sore throat or cough, use over-the-counter cough drops or cough medicine, such as Robitussin or Delsym.
The 12 Most Common Long COVID Symptoms