Patient education: Laryngitis (The Basics)

What is laryngitis? — 

This is inflammation of the vocal cords. It usually causes the voice to sound hoarse. It can even make a person lose their voice completely.

What causes laryngitis? — 

It can be caused by:

●A cold or other infection affecting the throat (for example, croup in young children)

●Shouting or straining your voice too much

●Breathing in harsh chemicals, such as cleaners or gasoline

●Drinking too much alcohol, or smoking

●Acid reflux (when acid from the stomach backs up into the throat)

Other medical problems besides laryngitis can make a person sound hoarse or lose their voice. Examples include:

●Abnormal growths on the vocal cords (for example, "nodules" or "polyps")

●Muscle disorders affecting the voice box

●Throat cancer

Will I need tests? — 

Maybe. Most people get better on their own within 1 to 2 weeks. But if your voice is hoarse or gone for 2 weeks or longer, and is not improving, see a doctor or nurse.

If your doctor or nurse is not sure what is causing your symptoms, you might need tests. For example, you might have a "laryngoscopy." For this test, the doctor puts a flexible tube with a tiny camera at the end through your nose or mouth. They can use this to look at your throat and voice box.

How is laryngitis treated? — 

That depends on what is causing it. If your laryngitis is caused by a cold or other minor infection, you probably do not need any treatment.

If something else is causing your laryngitis, you might need treatment, depending on the situation.

Should I rest my voice? — 

For most causes of laryngitis, resting the voice can help. This is especially true for hoarseness caused by shouting or straining the voice. It can also help when laryngitis is caused by a cold or something that irritated the vocal cords.

Voice "rest" means talking as little as possible and completely avoiding singing or talking loudly. Do not whisper. Whispering puts strain on the voice box and makes laryngitis worse.

If you sing or use your voice for work, consider taking voice lessons. This can teach you ways to protect your voice and prevent straining it again.

What else can I do to feel better? — 

There are different things you can do, depending on what caused the laryngitis:

●If laryngitis was caused by a cold, you can try things to soothe your throat. For example, it might help to:

•Drink warm fluids, like tea or soup.

•Suck on hard candies, ice chips, or ice pops.

•Gargle with salt water.

•Use a cool mist humidifier to add moisture to the air.

●If laryngitis was caused by drinking alcohol, limit how much you drink. If it was related to smoking, quit smoking. Your doctor or nurse can help.

●If laryngitis was caused by breathing in a harsh chemical, avoid the chemical if possible. If you need to be around fumes, make sure there is a lot of fresh air coming in and wear a "respirator" mask. If you work near chemical fumes that are making you hoarse, speak with your employer about getting masks and ventilation fans.

●If laryngitis was caused by acid reflux, try to avoid getting acid reflux. For example:

•Take medicines for acid reflux, if your doctor recommends them.

•Avoid foods that make symptoms worse (common examples include alcohol, coffee, and chocolate).

•Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help.

•Eat many small meals each day, rather than 2 or 3 big meals.

•Do not lie down for at least 3 hours after eating, particularly after a big meal.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call your doctor or nurse for advice if:

●Your voice is hoarse or gone for 2 weeks or longer, and you are not getting better.

●You have a sore throat, and:

•You have a fever of 101°F (38.4°C) or higher.

•Your throat pain is severe or does not improve within 5 to 7 days.

If your child has laryngitis, call their doctor or nurse if they:

●Have trouble breathing, or make a noisy, high-pitched sound when breathing

●Have pain or other symptoms that are getting worse

●Have laryngitis that lasts longer than 2 weeks, or gets better but then comes back

●Are younger than 3 months and have a fever (temperature higher than 100.4°F, or 38°C)

●Are older than 3 months and have a fever (temperature higher than 100.4°F, or 38°C) that lasts longer than 3 days

More on this topic

Patient education: Laryngoscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: Cough, runny nose, and colds (The Basics)
Patient education: Croup (The Basics)
Patient education: Strep throat in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Strep throat in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD in children and teens (The Basics)
Patient education: Laryngeal dystonia (The Basics)
Patient education: Laryngeal cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Throat cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Quitting smoking for adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Quitting smoking for teens (The Basics)

Patient education: The common cold in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: The common cold in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Croup in infants and children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Quitting smoking (Beyond the Basics)