New Research Shows SARS-CoV-2 Infects Cells in the Oral Cavity

A group of researchers has discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infects cells in the mouth, making the oral cavity a possible transmitter of the viral infection to other parts of the body. Published in the journal Nature Medicine on March 25, the research suggests that this fact may be the reason why COVID-19 has such a wide range of symptoms, affecting myriad parts of the body. Oral symptoms, such as loss of taste , xerostomia, and mouth ulcers, may be due to the presence of the virus in oral cells. Increased understanding of the role of the oral cavity in COVID-19 illness could support additional strategies to reduce transmission and improve treatment. Click here to read more.