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What Is Laryngitis And How To Treat It

Laryngitis is inflammation of your voice box (larynx). This organ sits in your upper neck, just past the back of your throat. Swelling of your vocal cords muffles sound, and you get hoarse. When you try to talk, all that may come out is a whisper or squeak.

Swelling of the voice box can be triggered by an infection, such as a cold, the flu, or bronchitis. Or the problem could be something as simple as overusing your voice.

Laryngitis usually isn't a serious problem. With the right treatment, it should go away in no more than 3 weeks. But sometimes, it lasts longer and becomes chronic. Still, there are ways to help yourself feel better.

Laryngitis cough

When you have laryngitis, you might feel a tickling in the back of your throat that makes you want to cough. Your coughs will likely be dry, meaning that they don't produce mucus or phlegm. You may make a hoarse, barking sound when you cough.

Laryngitis is often related to another illness, such as a cold, the flu, or bronchitis. Symptoms in children and adults are usually similar. Laryngitis symptoms include:

A sore throat or raw throat

A tickling feeling in your throat

A low-grade fever

Hoarseness

Trouble speaking or loss of voice

A dry cough

A constant urge to clear your throat

Swollen glands

A dry throat

Acute laryngitis

Most of the time, laryngitis is short-lived or acute. It goes away once the condition that's causing it improves. The most common cause of acute laryngitis is a viral infection, such as an upper respiratory infection.

Conditions that can cause laryngitis include:

Chronic laryngitis

When laryngitis lasts longer than 3 weeks, it's considered chronic. Most often, it happens when you're exposed to something that irritates your larynx for a longer period.

Things that can cause either chronic or acute laryngitis include:

Smoking or vaping

Overuse or misuse of the voice, such as singing or cheering

Drinking too much alcohol

Allergies

Throat irritation caused by inhaled medications, such as asthma inhalers

A fungal infection, such as thrush

An injury, such as a hit to the throat

Inhalation of chemical fumes

Sinus disease

Acid reflux can also play a role. Acids can travel up from the stomach into your throat and all the way to your larynx. This may irritate your larynx and make you lose your voice.

Rarely, chronic laryngitis is caused by infection by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Some health conditions, including certain cancers, can also make you more likely to get laryngitis.

Laryngitis and COVID-19

COVID-19 itself doesn't give you laryngitis, but its symptoms could. COVID-19 often makes you cough a lot, which may inflame your voice box and make your vocal cords stiff and swollen.

Infections such as COVID-19 can also damage your vagus nerve, which starts in your brain and runs all the way down into your stomach. If the vagus nerve isn't working like it should, your vocal cords won't, either. 

Steroids, which are often prescribed to treat COVID-19, also could lead to laryngitis. That's because the side effects of these drugs may include acid reflux and thrush infections in the back of your throat.

If you have a very serious case of COVID-19, you could be put on a ventilator (a machine that breathes for you). Having a tube down your throat can  irritate your vocal cords and lead to laryngitis.

Voice strain puts you at risk for laryngitis. This may happen if you use your voice more than usual, such as singing along at a concert or cheering at a football game. Infants and children can get laryngitis from constant crying or changing their voices, perhaps to mimic animals or cartoon characters.

You're more likely to get laryngitis if you have an infection that affects your breathing, such as a cold, bronchitis, or sinusitis. Allergies and asthma also make you more prone to it, especially if you use a steroid inhaler.

Working around chemicals, smoking or vaping, or being around secondhand smoke can raise your risk. So can being sensitive to chemicals, such as the ones used to scent shampoos and laundry detergents.

Other things that raise your chances of laryngitis include:

Acid reflux

Alcohol misuse

A weakened immune system

 

Most of the time, laryngitis gets better without treatment. But if you're in serious pain or your symptoms don't clear up after 2 weeks, it's time to see your doctor or pediatrician. They can look for and treat any condition that may be causing your laryngitis, such as heartburn. Or they could refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.

Get emergency medical care if you:

Have a hard time breathing

Have had a fever for a long time

Are coughing up blood

Have pain that's gotten worse over a period of weeks

Seek emergency help for your child if they:

Have trouble breathing or swallowing

Are younger than 3 months and have a temperature of 100 F or higher, or are older than 3 months and have a fever of 102 F or higher

Make noisy, high-pitched sounds when they breathe

Drool more than usual

 These can all be signs of a more serious condition.

 If you visit a doctor for laryngitis symptoms, they're likely to:

Examine your throat and take what's called a culture. This can show them which bacteria or virus may be causing your laryngitis.

Use an endoscope, a narrow tube equipped with a camera. This is called a laryngoscopy. They thread it into your throat through your nose or mouth. You'll get medicine to numb you so you won't feel any pain. This way, the doctor can get a close-up look at your vocal cords.

If you have a suspicious lump or nodule in your throat or voice box area, your doctor may recommend taking a sample of tissue for examination (biopsy).

The doctor may also do a skin allergy test or an X-ray to rule out other issues.

Is laryngitis contagious?

Most cases of laryngitis stem from an upper respiratory infection. If a respiratory virus is causing your laryngitis, you could easily spread the virus to others (though they won't necessarily get laryngitis as a result). For instance, each time you cough, you release tiny droplets containing the virus into the air. Other people could breathe in these germs and get sick.

If there's another reason for your laryngitis, such as allergies or excessive screaming at a football match, you won't be contagious.

Should you stay home with laryngitis?

If you know an infection is the reason for your laryngitis, stay home instead of going to work or school if you can. This will reduce the chances that you'll infect others and give you more time to rest.

The best treatment for laryngitis depends on what's causing it. Acute laryngitis usually goes away within a couple of weeks. Often, you can improve your symptoms with things you can do yourself at home, like resting your voice.

For chronic laryngitis, treatments will target whatever is causing it, whether that's smoking or acid reflux.

Medical treatments

Corticosteroids. If your need to speak clearly is urgent, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroids. This is a class of man-made drugs that mimic hormones, such as cortisol, that your body makes naturally. They reduce swelling.

Antibiotics. If you have a bacterial infection, you may be given antibiotics. But laryngitis is very rarely caused by bacteria, and antibiotics won't help with viral laryngitis.

Pain medications. If you're in pain, you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Always follow the instructions about how often and how much to take.

Voice therapy. A speech-language therapist teaches you how to care for your voice and reduce behaviors that strain it.

Laryngitis home remedies 

You can try several home remedies to help you heal:

Rest your voice. Without the stress of everyday use, your voice will often recover on its own.

If you have to speak in front of others, use a microphone.

Avoid singing.

Drink plenty of fluids. Early on, swallowing may be painful, but the more you're hydrated, the better. However, avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Use humidifiers and menthol inhalers. Moisture is your friend, and menthol can be soothing.

Take a hot shower, or stand over a bowl of hot water, and inhale the steam.

Gargle with warm salt water. The salinity not only soothes the area but also reduces swelling.

You may also suck on throat lozenges, which often contain herbs such as eucalyptus and mint, known for calming sore throats.

Avoid dry, smoky, or dusty rooms.

Stay away from decongestants. They dry you out when your throat wants moisture.

Don't whisper. That actually puts more strain on your vocal cords.

Certain herbs—such as licorice, marshmallow root, and slippery elm—have reputations as throat pain relievers, but they interact with some medications. Talk to your doctor before taking them.

Laryngitis can be very serious in children. It may lead to croup, a narrowing of the airways, or epiglottitis, an inflammation of the flap at the top of the larynx. This condition can be life-threatening, so get emergency treatment if you or a child in your care has had laryngitis and starts gasping or having any trouble breathing.

Laryngitis in adults isn't serious, but see a doctor if you've been hoarse for more than 2 weeks, are coughing up blood, have a temperature above 103 F, or are having trouble breathing.

Follow these steps to keep your voice healthy and prevent dryness and irritation that can lead to laryngitis.

Don't drink coffee, soda, or other products that have caffeine, which dries out the throat.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water during the day.

Don't smoke or vape; cut back if you have trouble stopping. Also, stay away from secondhand smoke. 

Don't clear your throat. Ahem, doing so creates abnormal vibrations that trigger irritation and swelling of the vocal cords.

Wash your hands often and properly, especially if you've been around someone who is sick.

Avoid overusing alcohol.

Stay up to date with flu shots and any other vaccines your doctor recommends.

Avoid close contact with people who have colds, flu, or other respiratory infections.

Use pillows or elevate your bed to raise your head while you sleep. This helps protect against acid reflux.

Avoid cheering or singing at high volumes for long periods.

You get laryngitis when your voice box becomes inflamed. It's usually not serious and gets better on its own. But if it lasts more than a couple of weeks or causes serious symptoms, see your doctor.

What is the fastest way to cure laryngitis?

For most people with acute laryngitis, resting the voice is the best way to heal it. Try to avoid speaking at all until you feel better. It's especially important to avoid whispering or clearing your throat, both of which can be irritating.

Do I need antibiotics for laryngitis? 

Even if your doctor thinks your sore throat and hoarse voice are due to a bacterial infection, they probably won't prescribe antibiotics. That's because it's not clear how much these drugs can actually help. Tests may or may not detect bacteria in your throat, a virus is still usually the cause of laryngitis. You're better off taking care of yourself and letting the illness run its course.

What Is Laryngitis?

Treatment for laryngitis typically focuses on alleviating symptoms and addressing any underlying causes. Most cases of acute laryngitis that are caused by a cold or other minor infection probably don't need treatment. Laryngitis caused by something else may need treatment, depending on the underlying cause.

Medication Options Some cases of laryngitis may be treated with one or more of the following medications.

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Pain Relievers Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve throat pain.

Corticosteroids In cases of severe inflammation, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to reduce swelling. They're usually only prescribed when there is an urgent need to treat.

Antibiotics Most cases of laryngitis are caused by a virus, and so antibiotics aren't effective. But if a bacterial infection is the cause, antibiotics may be necessary.

Surgery

Surgery is not typically required for laryngitis unless there is an underlying structural issue, such as vocal cord nodules, cysts, polyps or tumors, causing prolonged symptoms.

This type of surgery can be performed with tiny surgical instruments, called microsurgery, or vocal cord laser surgery.

Voice rest and voice therapy are often necessary after surgery.

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Voice Therapy Voice therapy may help treat hoarseness and laryngitis. Trained speech therapists, respiratory therapists, and voice coaches use breathing exercises, tension release exercises, and voice building exercises to help strengthen the voice.

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Home Remedies

Steps you can take on your own to ease the sore throat that comes with acute laryngitis include:

Use a humidifier

Use a portable nebulizer (available over the counter) with saline solution

Gargle with salt water

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Suck on hard candies, ice chips, or ice pops

Drink warm fluids, like tea or soup

What You Need To Know About Laryngitis

Laryngitis is swelling and inflammation of the larynx. Common causes include viral infections, overuse of the voice, acid reflux, smoking, and exposure to irritants and allergens.

The larynx, sometimes known as the voice box, is home to the vocal cords. These are vital to the processes of breathing, swallowing, and talking. The vocal cords are two small folds of mucous membrane covering cartilage and muscle that vibrate to produce sound.

Laryngitis often occurs due to an acute viral infection. These infections are usually mild and last for a period of 3–7 days.

Fast facts on laryngitis

Viral infections such as colds are the most common causes of laryngitis.

Lifestyle factors, such as ongoing exposure to irritants, often cause chronic laryngitis.

Children with laryngitis can develop another respiratory illness called croup.

A doctor may recommend additional testing in more severe cases, such as a laryngoscopy.

Self-care measures and rest are the best treatment options for acute laryngitis.

The vocal cords normally open and close to generate the voice with a slow, steady movement. When a person has laryngitis, their vocal cords are swollen.

As a result of this swelling, vocal fold vibration and mucosal wave will change, which alters the sound of the voice. People with laryngitis will often have a voice that is hoarse, gravelly, or too quiet to hear properly.

In chronic laryngitis, the inflammation is ongoing. Vocal cords can become strained and develop growths, such as polyps or nodules.

Laryngitis can cause a wide range of symptoms in adults, including:

hoarseness

difficulty with speech

throat pain

low fever

persistent cough

frequent throat clearing

These symptoms begin suddenly and often become more severe over the next 2–3 days. If symptoms last for more than 3 weeks, it is likely that the case has become chronic. This suggests there is a more serious underlying cause.

If a person has laryngitis for more than 3 weeks, they should contact a doctor who can investigate the underlying cause.

Laryngitis often relates to other illnesses. Throat infections, colds, or flu can occur alongside a case of laryngitis. If a person has one of these illnesses alongside laryngitis, they may experience some of the following symptoms:

headache

swelling in the glands

runny nose

pain while swallowing

fatigue and malaise

The symptoms are likely to resolve without treatment by the seventh day of infection. A person should see a doctor if the symptoms persist for longer or present severely.

Symptoms in children

Symptoms of laryngitis in children can differ from symptoms in adults. The condition's characteristics are often a hoarse, barking cough and fever, and it may also present as croup.

Croup is a contagious respiratory illness common among children. Although croup is usually a simple illness to treat, severe cases require medical attention.

Doctors recommend medical attention for children experiencing any of the following symptoms:

difficulty with breathing or swallowing

a fever of over 103° Fahrenheit or 39.4° Celsius

drooling

loud, high-pitched breathing sounds when inhaling

These symptoms can also indicate epiglottitis. This is inflammation of the epiglottis, the flap of cartilage at the base of the tongue. Both adults and children can develop epiglottitis, and the condition can be life-threatening in certain cases.

A number of conditions can cause laryngitis. Acute and chronic forms of laryngitis typically result from different factors.

Infections

The most common cause of laryngitis is a viral infection. These viruses are often similar to those that cause the common cold or flu.

Overuse of the voice can also cause inflammation of the larynx, which can lead to laryngitis. Examples of overuse include loud singing or excessive shouting.

Other causes

There are a number of causes of chronic laryngitis. Common causes of chronic laryngitis include:

acid reflux, a condition in which stomach acid and contents make their way up into the throat

bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections

chronic sinusitis

excessive coughing

inhaling irritants, such as allergens or toxic fumes

high alcohol intake

habitual misuse or overuse of voice

smoking, including secondhand smoke

inhaling steroid medicines, such as asthma inhalers

Doctors typically diagnose laryngitis with a physical examination that assesses the ears, nose, throat, and voice. Most cases do not require any additional testing.

The most common symptom of the condition is hoarseness, so doctors will take care to listen to the voice of the person when diagnosing laryngitis. They may also ask questions about lifestyle, potential exposure to airborne irritants, and other related diseases.

If a person presents with chronic hoarseness, a doctor may recommend additional testing to fully examine the vocal cords. Other conditions, such as cancer in the throat area, can cause chronic hoarseness. This symptom will require follow-up tests to rule out a more serious illness.

Anyone with laryngitis symptoms that last longer than 3 weeks should consult their doctor. In some cases, a doctor may refer the person with laryngitis to an otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.

An ENT specialist may also perform a laryngoscopy to observe the motion of the vocal cords when in use.

During a laryngoscopy, a doctor will either shine a light down the person's throat and use a series of instruments to inspect the inside of the throat or pass a flexible fiberoptic laryngoscope through the person's nose. This procedure can help them determine the presence of any polyps or nodules on the vocal cords.

An ENT specialist may also wish to carry out a biopsy if they feel that a suspicious area of tissue requires further assessment.

During a biopsy, a medical professional removes tissues from the body and sends them to a lab for inspection. In the lab, a pathologist will examine the tissues and look for certain cells, such as cancer cells.

The best treatment for cases of acute laryngitis is rest, home remedies, and self-care measures that can relieve symptoms.

Self-management

Doctors will normally advise rest to manage the symptoms of laryngitis.

For laryngitis, rest means limiting the use of the larynx. A person should avoid talking, singing, or using the voice box. Although whispering may seem like a gentler alternative to speaking at normal volume, this tightly stretches the vocal cords, hampering their recovery. This means a person with laryngitis should avoid whispering.

Other simple home remedies include:

avoiding decongestants, as these dry out the throat

breathing moist air

using acetaminophens, such as paracetamol, or ibuprofen to control the pain

avoiding inhaling irritants, such as smoking or secondhand smoke

drinking plenty of fluids

Medications

Doctors may prescribe antibiotics in cases where a bacterial infection is the cause of laryngitis. However, in most cases, laryngitis is viral, and antibiotics are not appropriate.

A doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to reduce vocal cord inflammation in severe or urgent cases. This may apply to people who use their voice professionally, such as singers or public speakers. Infants with severe croup may also receive a course of corticosteroids.

Chronic laryngitis may require more extensive ongoing treatment. The cause of the inflammation will determine the specific treatment. If another condition, such as acid reflux or sinusitis, is causing the laryngitis, then treatment for that condition can also treat the laryngitis symptoms.

Laryngitis treatment may also require lifestyle changes. For example, people with nodules need to relearn vocal habits to avoid further trauma to the cords. A doctor may recommend speech therapy or training in such cases. If a person has laryngitis, they should also avoid alcohol, tobacco smoke, and irritants.

If polyp or nodule growth causes damage to a person's vocal cords and speech therapy is not successful, they may need surgery. A person will also require surgery if they have cancer or papilloma cysts.

Prevention

People can take a number of measures to limit dryness and irritation to the vocal cords and help reduce the risk of laryngitis:

avoiding clearing the throat

taking steps to prevent upper respiratory tract infections, such as practicing good hygiene and avoiding contact with people who have contagious infections

quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke where possible

limiting or eliminating alcohol and caffeine intake, as these can increase the risk of dehydration

taking precautions to avoid reflux, such as avoiding eating late at night, not chewing gum, and elevating while sleeping

Laryngitis is the name for inflammation of the larynx. The larynx is the voice box.

Laryngitis can be acute or chronic. It is most commonly a temporary issue that lasts 3–7 days and goes away without treatment.

Common causes of laryngitis include viral infections, overuse of the voice, acid reflux, smoking, and exposure to irritants and allergens.

A doctor will diagnose laryngitis with a physical exam. They may also use a laryngoscopy to observe the person's larynx while in use.

The most common treatment for acute laryngitis is rest and self-care. A person with laryngitis should rest their voice, avoid smoking, avoid contact with irritants, and drink plenty of fluids.

If a person has laryngitis due to another condition, then a doctor will treat the other condition that is causing the laryngitis.

A person should also take steps to prevent upper respiratory tract infections to lower their risk of laryngitis.

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