Evidence found that coronavirus infects the mouth, including inside the cheeks, in the gums and in salivary glands, says an article published in CNN.
Coronavirus infects the mouth
Researchers say they have found evidence that coronavirus infects the mouth, including inside the cheeks, in the gums and in salivary glands.
How is that?
When people swallow infected saliva, they could be spreading the virus to other parts of their bodies.
Sense of taste
So many people infected lose their sense of taste, and suggests the mouth is an important source of the spread of Covid-19.
Saliva testing to detect infection
It was previously known that saliva testing was a good way to detect infection, but researchers hadn’t looked to see why.
Transmission
“When infected saliva is swallowed or tiny particles of it are inhaled, we think it can potentially transmit SARS-CoV-2 further into our throats, our lungs, or even our guts,” said Dr. Kevin Byrd of the American Dental Association Science and Research Institute, who worked on the study.
Nasal Swab Vs Saliva Test results
The mouth, nose, sinuses, throat and lungs are connected, and the virus can spread across all those regions in mucus that drains or is coughed up.
They checked samples of oral tissue from people who died of Covid-19 and found the virus in about half of the salivary glands they tested.
The study also found evidence that people who test negative after a nasal swab sometimes continue to test positive on a saliva test, highlighting that even if the virus is cleared from the nasopharynx — the upper part of the throat behind the nose — it could persist in saliva.
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Source: CNN
