There is a significant increase in Covid-19 cases in Indonesia from time to time. SARS Cov-2 also causes more diverse symptoms to begin to appear increasingly. Covid Tongue is one of the new symptoms detected in several patients who have positively been infected with Covid-19.
So, what is Covid Tongue? A UGM Academic Hospital's specialist doctor of Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT), and related structures of the Head Neck, namely dr. Anton Sony Wibowo, Sp. THTKL, M.Sc., FICS., revealed that Covid Tongue is a change of condition in the tongue's characteristics. These changes happen to color, shape, surface condition of the tongue, and pain changes in patients infected with Covid-19.
"The changes include the tongue's color, tongue shape's surface, the degree of sensitivity of the tongue, and the appearance of the surface membrane of the tongue. Various manifestations also appear, such as cracks, herpes on the tongue, and fungus. However, we cannot yet specifically conclude it," dr. Anton explained on Friday (29/1).
Anton revealed that there are not many discoveries on some data related to this Covid Tongue to date. There is still a limitation on several abroad studies to case reports, and retrospective studies have revealed a significant change in the tongue. According to the one retrospective research report in China, it is found that the emergence of Covid Tongue has distinct characteristics in Covid-19 patients with mild to moderate and severe symptoms.
In mild to moderate symptoms, the tongue tends to be red with a white color surface. Whereas in Covid-19 patients, people with severe symptoms tend to have pale with a yellowish color surface. Moreover, it is also characterized by pain in patients with moderate to severe symptoms.
"However, this research report is necessary to be further completed with other research which has stronger evidence since there have not been many studies related to Covid Tongue," he explained.
The lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FKKMK) explained that Covid Tongue also causes changes in the tongue/dysgeusia's taste sensation. This condition causes a change of taste in the patient's tongue.
Meanwhile, Anton also said that the pain on the tongue that appears from Covid Tongue would affect the appetite of Covid-19 patients.
"In general, there should be covid treatment according to standards and concerning oral hygiene," he concluded.
Author: Ika
Photo: Illustration
Translator: Natasa A