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Published on: 7/15/2026

Can COVID-19 cause your voice to be hoarse?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

COVID-19 can cause hoarseness. The virus triggers inflammation in the throat and larynx (voice box), which can lead to a raspy, weak, or strained voice. This symptom often appears alongside other common COVID-19 signs, such as sore throat, cough, congestion, or fatigue.

Because hoarseness can also stem from allergies, acid reflux, laryngitis, or overuse of the voice, it's important to identify the underlying cause before assuming it's COVID-19. Pinpointing the right cause helps you decide whether rest, hydration, home care, or a doctor's visit is the best next step.

To quickly understand what may be behind your hoarseness, take a free, instant, online symptom check. It only takes a few minutes, uses AI-guided questions based on your specific symptoms, and gives you personalized insights on possible causes and recommended next steps—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Important Next Steps

Discover causes of your hoarse voiceSee if hoarseness needs urgent careFind out what's causing your hoarse voiceFind OTC relief for hoarse voiceFind a doctor for voice problemsLearn home remedies for hoarsenessUnderstand if hoarseness could be COVID-19

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Explanation

When infected with the novel coronavirus, the virus can multiply in the throat and cause inflammation, which may result in hoarseness. Specifically, COVID-19 has been reported to cause acute laryngitis, acute epiglottitis, and croup syndrome, all structures in the throat that would lead to a hoarse voice. If you're experiencing these symptoms, consider taking a free symptom checker test to better understand your condition.

(References)

  • Lin CW, Wang YH, Li YE, Chiang TY, Chiu LW, Lin HC, Chang CT. COVID-related dysphonia and persistent long-COVID voice sequelae: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Otolaryngol. 2023 Sep-Oct;44(5):103950. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.103950. Epub 2023 Jun 8. PMID: 37354724; PMCID: PMC10250057.

  • Mohamed-Hussein AA, Wafy SM, Makhlouf HA, Taghyan AM, Eldin AB. Sudden hoarseness of voice in COVID-19 patient. Lung India. 2021 Mar;38(Supplement):S116-S118. doi: 10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_863_20. PMID: 33686994; PMCID: PMC8104358.

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