1 "Research has shown that other than the common organs, ACE2 or angiotensin . Treatment of postviral olfactory loss with glucocorticoids, Ginkgo biloba, and mometasone nasal spray. New loss of taste . The sense of smell results from the interactions between a volatile compound and the chemoreceptors expressed on the olfactory sensory neurons. The gustatory cues, however, are combined with the sensations provided by retronasal olfaction to give rise to flavors [11]. The authors stated that published research supports the theory that oral rinsing helps break down viral envelopes in other viruses, including coronaviruses, and should be researched further in relation to COVID-19. Never drink bleach. 5. As one . Some doctors have dubbed the phenomenon "COVID tongue," and it can involve tongue swelling, pain, mouth ulcers, a furry coating that can be white or yellow and can't be brushed away, or a scalloped (a.k.a "geographic") tongue. They are also low-concentration ingredients in some mouthwash products. Anderson E, et al. If mouth tissues are involved in early . In Spencer's case, the fact that there was no blood when the tooth fell out suggests blood flow was obstructed, which may have caused his tooth to deteriorate, Li said. Finally, to explore the relationship between oral symptoms and virus in saliva, the team collected saliva from a separate group of 35 NIH volunteers with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19. About 16% of people taking this medication in clinical trials reported it. SARS-CoV-2 cell entry depends on ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and is blocked by a clinically proven protease inhibitor. In people with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19, cells shed from the mouth into saliva were found to contain SARS-CoV-2 RNA, as well as RNA for the entry proteins. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction. Science brief: SARS-CoV-2 and surface (fomite) transmission for indoor community environments. Recovery from coronavirus can literally stink for many people who lose their sense of smell and taste. SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is sensitive to high temperatures. SARS-CoV-2 infection could thus give rise to anosmia by different, nonmutually exclusive mechanisms (Fig. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Dentists currently use antimicrobial mouthwashes to reduce the number of microorganisms in liquid particles that may escape a persons mouth during procedures. Fever or chills. ChiesaEstomba C.M., Lechien J.R., Radulesco T., et al. An international team of scientists has found evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infects cells in the mouth. Huang N, Perez P, et al. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. If the chlorine and pH levels are not correct, it reduces germ-killing properties. Please acknowledge NIH's National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research as the source. That said, the study only looked at a few dozen people, Villa said. On the other hand, sensorineural disorders result from injury of neuronal structures, most often olfactory sensory neurons, or olfactory bulbs. Therefore, it may only offer a temporary solution at best. But one possible red flag we've been hearing a lot about lately is missing from the catalog: a strange metallic taste in the mouth. Antibodies that react to SARS-CoV-2 have been found in blood donated before the pandemic, suggesting that certain people have some protection from the. 8600 Rockville Pike Single cell RNA-sequencing studies demonstrated that epithelial cells of the tongue express ACE-2 receptors at a significant level, arguing for a possible role of the buccal mucosa as an entry door for SARS-CoV-2 [34]. Early in the pandemic, a loss of taste or smell was considered a hallmark symptom of COVID-19. Thankfully, the study authors helped craft a tool that could make future studies of oral infection easier. cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/about-covid-19.html, canr.msu.edu/news/covid-19-disinfecting-with-bleach, who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters, cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/residential/disinfection-testing.html, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/science-and-research/surface-transmission.html, cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/safe-swimming-week/feature.html. The Covid-19 . It may last for weeks or even months. Upon activation of olfactory sensory neurons, the action potential is transmitted to the olfactory bulb and subsequently to the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the primary olfactory cortex. When doctors studied 666 patients with Covid19 in Spain, more than a tenth of . More research will be needed to confirm the findings in a larger group of people and to determine the exact nature of the mouths involvement in SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission within and outside the body. Chlorine, the chemical found in bleach, kills many germs and bacteria, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. MACKINAW Everyone by now knows that COVID-19 can cause a loss of taste and smell, but fewer know that it can also make things smell and taste really, really bad. Patients of both groups will be tested once for Covid-19 7 days after the last treatment. Sun S.-H., Chen Q., Gu H.-J., et al. NIDCRs Blake Warner talks about salivas possible role in SARS-CoV-2 spread, the link between oral infection and taste loss, and how the work could help us better prepare for the next pandemic. The atlas helped them pinpoint the cells at highest risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and then the team checked their work against saliva samples and autopsied tissue from patients. Can High Temperatures Kill the New Coronavirus? November 5, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. EST. The results showed that 68% of patients had one nasal symptom, including dryness and having a "strange" nasal sensation. However, current studies have serious limitations. Huang C., Wang Y., Li X., et al. Various mouth and tooth infections also cause unusual tastes in the mouth. (iStock). The sense of taste requires the activation of gustatory receptors on the tongue, which receive innervation from cranial nerves VII, IX, and X and recognize the five taste modalitiesthat is, sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami. This can be fatal and does not kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus, treat COVID-19 symptoms, or prevent the development of COVID-19. However, at this stage, studies are too small and short term for researchers to make conclusive statements, and further research is necessary. Last medically reviewed on July 15, 2022. Paxlovid, the FDA-approved antiviral drug to treat COVID-19, can leave a foul taste in the mouth. However, some observational studies have shown that a more prolonged course could be possible [22], with about one-third of subjects reporting only a partial improvement of STD 40 days after diagnosis, and a small proportion (5%) reporting no improvement. Researchers that suggested mouthwash as a promising measure generally also suggested that further research is needed, and did not offer recommendations for the use of mouthwash as a COVID-19 prevention tool. Early in the pandemic, a loss of taste or smell was considered a hallmark symptom of COVID-19. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Water may taste like chlorine because many systems use chlorine to disinfect their water . In both cases, recruitment of inflammatory cells, cytokine release and generation of neurotoxic compounds may indirectly influence the neuronal signaling. Lysol Disinfectant Approved for Use Against COVID-19: Heres What Else Can Work. Mouth irritation, swelling and multiplication of the . Future research could reveal how this mouth infection affects the course of illness in COVID-19 patients, as well as how those infected cells contribute to the spread of the coronavirus between people. Taken together, the researchers said, the studys findings suggest that the mouth, via infected oral cells, plays a bigger role in SARS-CoV-2 infection than previously thought. Because COVID's symptoms are evolved to become so similar to allergies, the common cold, and the flu, recognizing that you've contracted the coronavirus isn't as straightforward as it may seem. Kaye R., Chang C.W.D., Kazahaya K., Brereton J., Denneny James C., III COVID-19 anosmia reporting tool: initial findings. For cell infection, SARS-CoV-2 requires the binding to a surface cell receptor for the spike protein, which is identified in the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-2 protein, and the proteolytic action of hosts proteases like TMPRSS2 [24,25]. If . Regular cleaning removes most virus particles on surfaces. Agyeman A.A., Chin K.L., Landersdorfer C.B., Liew D., Ofori-Asenso R. Smell and taste dysfunction in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. A better understanding of how the coronavirus infects mouth cells, at the molecular level, could help improve treatments for patients with these symptoms, Byrd said. Overall, the risk is low when going to an outdoor swimming facility, but there are still steps you can take to promote health and safety. Development of a smell identification test using a novel stick-type odor presentation kit. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Microvascular injury in the brains of patients with Covid-19. SARS-CoV-2 infection of the oral cavity and saliva. "If your water has a metallic or bitter taste . BBC News. COVID-19 can damage olfactory receptors in the nose or the parts of the brain necessary for smelling. This is the highest. Double K.L., Rowe D.B., Hayes M., et al. Kobayashi M., Reiter E.R., DiNardo L.J., Costanzo R.M. aVita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, bIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy, cUnit of Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy. Getting a COVID-19 vaccination, keeping an appropriate distance from other people, wearing a mask when not in the pool, and following other public health measures, all further reduce your risk for contracting SARS-CoV-2. They usually follow the onset of respiratory symptoms and are associated with inflammatory changes in the respiratory mucosa and mucous discharge [16,17]. Brann D.H., Tsukahara T., Weinreb C., et al. Further symptoms, according to the World Health Organization, include tiredness, aches . Publically available studies do not provide large-scale, clinical evidence to conclude the efficacy of mouthwash against COVID-19. A study examining the role of the oral cavity in SARS-CoV-2 infection has found evidence the virus infects cells in the mouth, which could explain why some patients with COVID-19 experience taste loss, dry mouth and blistering. Reprint this article in your own publication or post to your website. The evolution and prognosis of STD in COVID-19 appears to be favorable, but the timing of resolution may vary [54]. Although early reports suggested a milder course of COVID-19 in subjects experiencing anosmia [53], larger cross-sectional and case-control studies argued against this hypothesis, showing no differences in the rate of hospitalization or in the severity of disease between patients with and without STD [38]. He states that several Los Angeles celebrities walk around swilling a 1:20 bleach solution for 30 seconds twice a week and being treated nonsurgically at the USC School of Dentistry, Los Angeles. Neurological features in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with smell and taste disorder. Villerabel C., Makinson A., Jaussent A., et al. Dr. Post-viral and post-traumatic STD could influence severely the quality of life of affected subjects [57]. However, no data are available to date on the efficacy of these measures in postCOVID-19 STD. The new findings may help explain why COVID-19 can be detected by saliva tests, and why about half of COVID-19 cases include oral symptoms, such as loss of taste, dry mouth, and oral ulcers. Thus it could be hypothesized that, similarly to what suggested for olfactory disorders, the pathogenesis of taste disorders in COVID-19 may involve indirect damage of taste receptors through infection of epithelial cells and subsequent local inflammation. After that time, chlorine will become less potent. Comparison of COVID-19 and common cold chemosensory dysfunction. Thus, investigating the presence of STD may be helpful for identifying subjects with cold-like symptoms who are likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 and could prompt the testing of patients reporting no symptoms of respiratory tract involvement [43]. And while many people know that loss of taste is a coronavirus symptom, they may not realize it could first appear as a metallic taste in their mouth. If you experience a metallic taste in your mouth after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, "there's no harm in reaching out to your doctor and letting them know," Dr. Mucci-Elliott said. Since January 2020 Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. "We hypothesize this is the primary source of virus in saliva," Byrd told Live Science. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies (2022). CLICK FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK. The power of this approach is exemplified by the efforts of this scientific team, who identified a likely role for the mouth in SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission, a finding that adds to knowledge critical for combatting this disease.. Read on to find out moreand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID. You also may want to limit your pool guests to those in your pod or other trusted individuals. PREGNANT WOMEN WITH CORONAVIRUS AT HIGHER RISK OF SEVERE ILLNESS, DEATH, CDC FINDS. In fact, some patients are reporting a loss of smell and taste long Does chlorine kill SARS-CoV-2 in swimming pool water? Sudden and complete olfactory loss of function as a possible symptom of COVID-19. Acute-onset smell and taste disorders in the context of COVID-19: a pilot multicentre polymerase chain reaction based casecontrol study. Chlorine and pH levels should be tested at least twice a day and more if the pool is being used a lot. If used correctly, household cleaners that contain bleach kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It may also help prevent tooth decay and bad breath, alongside brushing and flossing. While its well known that the upper airways and lungs are primary sites of SARS-CoV-2 infection, there are clues the virus can infect cells in other parts of the body, such as the digestive system, blood vessels, kidneys and, as this new study shows, the mouth. Smell dysfunction: a biomarker for COVID-19. However, Environmental Testing and Research Laboratories (ETR Labs) of Leominster, Massachusetts specifically notes that a metallic or bitter taste is a surefire sign that you should get your water tested for various chemicals. Bolivians desperate to avoid or cure COVID-19 are ingesting chlorine dioxide, which the senate has approved as a treatment even as the country's health ministry says people should stay away from it. Slowly, over the following two months, her sense of smell partially returned. WHO coronavirus (COVID-19) dashboard. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. It's known that SARS-CoV-2 infects cells in the nose, upper airways, and lungs. Mouthwash may kill COVID-19 in the mouth temporarily, but the virus will make more copies of itself rapidly. NEWLY CONFIRMED CORONAVIRUS CASES AMONG US CHILDREN SURGE. Fox News Flash top headlines for November 3. COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Doctors and researchers still have much to learn about the exact symptoms caused by COVID-19, but a group of ear, nose and throat doctors now suspect two such . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Health experts are telling 200,000 residents in Florida to avoid washing their face with tap water after a man died from a brain-eating amoeba.. Officials believe the unnamed Charlotte County man . Theoretically, SARS-CoV-2 infection in the mouth could cause changes in saliva production or quality, contributing to symptoms of taste . If the water loses its smell upon swirling, the decaying matter is probably located in the sink drain. Norovirus can spread easily, especially in crowded places. COVID does produce certain telltale symptoms. Though the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via surfaces is very low, simple washing with soap and water reduces this risk as will washing with cleaners containing chlorine. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Chlorine is added to pool water to disinfect it. Even if mouthwash could effectively kill the virus in the throat, it would remain in the nasal passages, which could pass the virus down to the throat. Olfactory disorders have been reported in infections caused by several respiratory viruses, including coronaviruses [14,15]. Dry Mouth . You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. "Our study shows that the mouth is a route of infection as well as an incubator for the SARS-CoV-2virusthat causes COVID-19," Dr. Kevin Byrd, a research scholar and manager of Oral and Craniofacial Research at the American Dental Association Science and Research Institute, told Live Science in an email. Of note, a recently published study on post-mortem samples revealed the co-localization of a coronavirus antigen and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in olfactory sensory neurons of patients deceased with COVID-19. About half of COVID-19 patients experience oral symptoms, including loss of taste, dry mouth, and mouth lesions. RNA for two key entry proteinsknown as the ACE2 receptor and the TMPRSS2 enzymewas found in certain cells of the salivary glands and tissues lining the oral cavity. They found that, compared with other oral tissues, cells of the salivary glands,tongueand tonsils carry the most RNA linked to proteins that thecoronavirusneeds to infect cells. FOIA The Listerine website emphasizes that, "Listerine Antiseptic is a daily mouthwash which has been proven to kill 99.9% of germs that cause bad breath, plaque and gingivitis.". Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 range from mild, cold-like symptoms typically associated with respiratory tract infections, such as cough and fever, to severe pneumonia with respiratory failure [1,2]. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Parma V., Ohla K., Veldhuizen M.G., et al. We avoid using tertiary references. Most people who contract COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. Currently available reports have shown that patients . However, its still important to clean and disinfect surfaces. For example, to someone with parosmia, coffee or fruit . Bottom line. Utility of hyposmia and hypogeusia for the diagnosis of COVID-19. While the study makes a convincing case that SARS-CoV-2 infects cells in the mouth, some questions remain unanswered. Experts say that water should lack any flavor, so any notable taste could be a signal that something is off. Wang Z., Zhou J., Marshall B., Rekaya R., Ye K., Liu H.-X. Research has shown that using certain formulations of mouthwash may help destroy the protective SARS-CoV-2 viral envelope and kill the virus in the throat and mouth. Vaira L.A., Deiana G., Fois A.G., et al. Although research is promising, recent studies have limitations and are insufficient to prove that mouthwash can act as a preventive measure against COVID-19. (2020). Loss of smell in patients with COVID-19: MRI data reveal a transient edema of the olfactory clefts. Patients with COVID-19 often complain of smell and taste disorders (STD). So, it's likely what's driving the weird taste that Paxlovid can cause. Only limited data are available on the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of taste disorders in COVID-19 [33]. Kehan Chen/Getty Images. These features suggest that anosmia could possibly be the consequence of a localized impairment of airflow conduction or of a sensorineural damage. Lee M.-H., Perl D.P., Nair G., et al. Damm M., Pikart L.K., Reimann H., et al. Muscle or body . If you can't smell and taste food, it can . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. But other symptoms people with the virus have experienced include rashes, headaches, and digestive issues like nausea and diarrhea. Getty Images. This causes the molecule to fall apart, killing viruses or bacteria. Dysgeusia, or distorted taste, "is a condition in which a foul, salty, rancid, or metallic taste sensation persists in the mouth," according to the National Institute of Health. But in many cases, COVID does produce certain telltale symptoms, such as these ones that involve the mouth. More than Smell-COVID-19 is associated with severe impairment of smell, taste, and chemesthesis. Ni Huang, PhD, of the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK, and Paola Perez, PhD, of NIDCR, were co-first authors. The olfactory sensory neurons are located at the top of the nasal cavity and are surrounded by supporting cells, including sustentacular cells, microvillar cells, mucous-secreting Bowmans glands, and stem cells. In the meantime, the new study drives home one important point: Asymptomatic people can carry plenty of viral particles in their saliva. While it's well known that the upper airways and lungs are primary sites of SARS-CoV-2 infection, there are clues the virus can infect cells in other parts of the body, such as the digestive system, blood vessels, kidneys and, as this new study shows, the mouth. Follow the fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you liveget vaccinated ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don't travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID. If case numbers are high in the area, it may be best to wear a mask outdoors, as well. Croy I., Nordin S., Hummel T. Olfactory disorders and quality of lifean updated review. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infects and damages the mature and immature olfactory sensory neurons of hamsters. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. That tasteand the smell that can go along with itis caused by a build-up in your . Sims J.T., Krishnan V., Chang C.-Y., et al. Seo B.S., Lee H.J., Mo J.-H., Lee C.H., Rhee C.-S., Kim J.-W. In people with COVID-19 who have respiratory symptoms, virus in saliva possibly comes in part from nasal drainage or sputum coughed up from the lungs. A larger and more recent study correlated magnetic resonance findings to objective evaluation of olfaction in 20 patients with COVID-19, observing an impaired smell detection associated with olfactory cleft obstruction in 95 % of patients; interestingly, at the 1-month follow-up, the majority of patients recovered from anosmia and resolved olfactory cleft obstruction [21]. All rights reserved. Similarities: Both COVID-19 and flu can have varying degrees of symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. Elevated ACE2 expression in the olfactory neuroepithelium: implications for anosmia and upper respiratory SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication. Huart C., Philpott C., Konstantinidis I., et al. Position paper on olfactory dysfunction. Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Any person can contract COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die. Key Takeaways. Unfortunately, the treatment of these conditions is challenging. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Mythbusters. The possible use of STD for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in subjects with clinical suspicion is an area of active research. How long do SARS-CoV-2 antibodies persist after infection? What scientists dont entirely know, however, is where SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva comes from. According to the CDC, more than 222 million people in the United States are fully vaccinated. NIDCR News articlesare not copyrighted. Does microwaving food kill the coronavirus? This indicated increased vulnerability because the virus is thought to need both entry proteins to gain access to cells. If used correctly, household cleaners that contain bleach kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Galougahi M.K., Ghorbani J., Bakhshayeshkaram M., Naeini A.S., Haseli S. Olfactory bulb magnetic resonance imaging in SARS-CoV-2-Induced anosmia: the first report. Bnzit F., Turnier P.L., Declerck C., et al. Chlorine may also be used to disinfect pool water. The expression levels of the entry factors are similar to those in regions known to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as the tissue lining the nasal passages of the upper airway, Warner said. STD are usually reported within three days from the beginning of other COVID-19 manifestations [6,38] and have presented as the first symptoms in up to one quarter of the cases [39]. A week later, she suddenly lost her sense of smell and taste, which at the time wasn't a recognised COVID symptom. "This research mightily underscores the importance of the public health measures we know are effective masks, social distancing and handwashing whether you have symptoms or not," Byrd said. Norovirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States. Finally, chemesthesis contributes to perception of certain food characteristics, such as spiciness or cold, through sensitive afferents of the trigeminal nerve. In terms of how oral infection fits into the big picture of COVID-19, "there is much to learn about where SARS-CoV-2 begins, travels within our bodies and finally is cleared," he said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Chlorine . Finally, although mouthwash may have an effect on the virus in the mouth and throat, COVID-19 also collects in nasal passages. One of the primary ways COVID-19 enters your body is through the nose. However, there is not enough evidence to support that mouthwash is an effective tool against COVID-19, and further research is needed. According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 include: Fever or chills. The British Association of Otorhinolaryngology, which represents experts in ear, nose and throat medicine . As the virus has evolved, smell or taste loss has become more rare, but it's still reported, say the scientists behind the COVID Symptom Study. But in many cases, COVID does produce certain telltale symptoms, such as these ones that involve the mouth. COVID-19: Who is immune without having an infection? Health experts provide answers to frequently asked questions about the bird flu outbreak and the danger it poses to humans. She had mild cold-like symptoms and lost her sense of taste and smell, as many COVID patients do. Identifying the pattern of olfactory deficits in parkinson disease using the brief smell identification test. However, the study was not large enough to provide conclusive evidence and indicated a need for further research. When you go to a community pool, make sure that you physically distance from other people, both in and out of the pool. Early recovery following new onset anosmia during the COVID-19 pandemic - an observational cohort study. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Accessibility government site. Another 2020 study found that after swishing and gargling a mouthwash formulation for 60 seconds, 16 out of 33 study participants became Neisseria gonorrhea culture-negative within 5 minutes, compared to 4 of 25 participants who gargled saline. Besides the aforementioned obstruction of respiratory clefts, brain magnetic resonance may reveal bilateral olfactory bulbs hyperintensity and enlargement in fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and T2 sequences. But while many have regained their senses, for others it has turned into a phenomenon called . A coronavirus infection that causes a cold may also offer some, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Other researchers have also reported tongue and mouth symptoms linked with the new coronavirus. Their study finds rinsing with Listerine and prescription mouthwashes like Chlorhexidine deactivate the virus within seconds during lab experiments. The role of self-reported olfactory and gustatory dysfunction as a screening criterion for suspected COVID-19. This article discusses COVID-19, research about mouthwash and COVID-19, and COVID-19 prevention. The EPA has approved two Lysol products as effective against the virus that causes COVID-19. Hoffmann M., Kleine-Weber H., Schroeder S., et al. Another way COVID-19 could impact the oral cavities, and most particularly, the tongue is by altering the colour and texture of the tongue. Klopfenstein T., Zahra H., Kadiane-Oussou N.J., et al.