Yes, "COVID tongue" is a recognized, though less common, symptom of COVID-19. It can cause various changes to the appearance and sensation of the tongue, often in conjunction with other, more typical symptoms.
A “COVID tongue” can come in many forms, such as indentations, swelling of the tongue, mouth ulcers, or a patchy pattern on the tongue. More research is needed to fully understand the underlying causes of this symptom and the best treatments for it.
As mentioned before, our research teams also saw patients diagnosed with COVID-19 with dry mouth, loss of taste, and oral ulcers, which are signs that a virus or bacteria may be affecting them.
Common New COVID Variant Symptoms in 2025
The onset of oral candidiasis varied considerably among reported patients, and it ranged between 1 and 30 days since COVID‐19 symptoms' emergence. Most of the reported cases had oral pseudomembranous candidiasis described as white plaque extending over tongue dorsum mainly and oral mucosa.
Other symptoms of COVID-19 usually accompany it. Q: How can you get rid of the metallic taste in your mouth from COVID? A: To alleviate the metallic taste in the mouth caused by COVID-19, stay hydrated, practice good oral hygiene, and try different foods with strong flavors.
Oral hairy leukoplakia is a condition triggered by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It causes white patches on your tongue. Sometimes the patches happen in other parts of your mouth.
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.
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.
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.
The COVID virus has more success surviving on hard surfaces, such as glass and plastic, than on porous ones like bedding. Once the virus lands on a porous material like a fabric, the droplets evaporate much quicker than they do on a hard surface.
vitamin deficiencies and anaemia – a sore tongue can sometimes be a symptom of iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia. glossodynia or "burning mouth syndrome" – a burning pain on the tip of the tongue that often affects people with depression.
Unusual COVID-19 symptoms: What are they?
Approximately two in every 10 patients with COVID-19 experience some form of oral health issue. This can be in the form of loss of taste or dry mouth.
Tongue problems may include a tongue that's painful, enlarged or swollen, oddly textured or an unusual color, like white, yellow, brown or black. Infection, inflammation and conditions you're born with or develop later in life can all cause symptoms affecting your tongue.
See a GP or dentist if:
you have tongue pain or itchiness that does not go away or gets worse. you have white patches on your tongue.
You can be contagious for 1-2 days before symptoms appear and up to 8-10 days following symptom onset. You can spread the virus even if you do not have symptoms. Social distancing should continue until, for at least 24 hours, symptoms improve and you're fever-free without medications.
Common Symptoms of the New COVID Variant (2025):
The average recovery time for those who have mild or normal cases of COVID-19 or flu is between one and two weeks. If you have COVID-19, the CDC recommends isolation from others until your symptoms are getting better and you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
KP. 2 is one of several variants being referred to as “FLiRT variants,” named after the technical names for their mutations. The prevalence of these variants comes at a critical time, when experts are deciding how to formulate the fall COVID vaccine.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) is a rare but serious condition associated with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in which different internal and external body parts become inflamed, including: heart. lungs. kidneys.
Other symptoms can include:
Herpetic stomatitis is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), or oral herpes. Young children commonly get it when they are first exposed to HSV. The first outbreak is usually the most severe.
If your white tongue doesn't return to a normal color after a few weeks, see your provider or dentist. You should also get checked if your tongue hurts, itches or you have trouble eating or speaking. Your provider can help you clear it up. Or they can check to be sure it's not a more serious condition.
Strep tongue, a sign of scarlet fever, typically starts with a white coating on a red tongue (white strawberry tongue), which then peels to reveal a bright red, bumpy tongue with swollen papillae (red strawberry tongue). This is accompanied by a sandpaper-like rash on the body, flushed cheeks, and sometimes tiny red spots (petechiae) on the roof of the mouth.