Laryngitis

Laryngitis is when you have inflammation of your larynx, also known as your voice box. It can develop because of overuse, irritation or infection of your vocal cords.

When your vocal cords function normally, they open and close smoothly. Air can pass between them and make them vibrate, creating the sound that is your voice. But swelling and inflammation affect how your vocal cords vibrate. They distort the sounds your vocal cords make, so your voice sounds weak or hoarse.

Symptoms of laryngitis

Some of the most common laryngitis symptoms include:

• Barking-like cough or dry cough
• Feeling like you’ve got a lump in your throat or feeling like you need to keep clearing your throat
• Hoarseness or a weak voice (dysphonia)
• Losing your voice
• Pain while using your voice
• Tickling or rawness in your throat

For the acute form of laryngitis, the symptoms are short-lived and last between three and seven days. If the symptoms last more than three weeks, that’s known as chronic laryngitis. The chronic form of this condition is most likely to cause a barking-like cough or globus sensation.

When laryngitis happens with certain symptoms, it might affect your ability to breathe, making it a bigger concern. If you have these dangerous symptoms, call your healthcare provider for an appointment. If your child has them, call their pediatrician or take them to get medical attention. The dangerous symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Stridor (a high-pitched noise when breathing in and/or out)
• Trouble swallowing or painful swallowing
• Drooling

Laryngitis causes

Laryngitis is most likely to happen with upper respiratory infections, especially viral ones. But it can happen for many other reasons, too. Experts split the causes into infectious and noninfectious causes. Many of the infectious causes of laryngitis are also contagious, meaning you can spread them from person to person.

Infectious causes

Infectious laryngitis causes include viruses like:

• Adenoviruses
• Common cold viruses
• Influenza and parainfluenza (croup)
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Rubeola (measles) and rubella (German measles)
• SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19)
• Varicella (chickenpox in children and shingles in adults)
• Whooping cough (pertussis)

Bacteria that can cause infections and laryngitis include:

• Haemophilus influenzae
• Moraxella catarrhalis
• Streptococcus pneumoniae or other streptococcus species

While not as common, you can also get laryngitis from a fungal infection. This is usually from the same fungi that cause aspergillosis or candidiasis. You’re less likely to get laryngitis from a fungal infection unless your immune system is weakened or you’re taking inhaled steroids.

Noninfectious causes

Laryngitis can happen for several reasons that aren’t diseases you can catch. These include:

• Allergies
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Inhalation injuries (like from smoke inhalation)
• Irritation from chronic alcohol overuse, pollution, smoking and secondhand smoke
• Overuse injuries or trauma (like overusing your voice, screaming, yelling or singing)
• Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), which usually happens because of human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Vocal cord lesions or tumors, including benign (noncancerous) growths and malignant (cancerous) tumors

Risk factors

Laryngitis can affect people of all ages. You’re more prone to this condition if you:

• Are a heavy drinker
• Are frequently exposed to tobacco smoke
• Have a respiratory infection like bronchitis or sinusitis
• Overuse your voice

Complications of laryngitis

Acute laryngitis doesn’t usually cause complications. The main exception is when you also have inflammation of a nearby structure, like epiglottitis. That can cause severe enough swelling to block off your airway. That can be life-threatening, so it’s important to get laryngitis diagnosed and treated if you have any of the dangerous symptoms.

Chronic laryngitis can have complications depending on the cause. Over time, damage from the condition can lead to scarring or other permanent changes. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the complications that might happen with your specific case.

How doctors diagnose laryngitis

Healthcare providers usually diagnose laryngitis by asking about your symptoms and recent activities. They may also look in your throat and listen to your lungs. Tests generally aren’t necessary, but your provider might recommend them if they want to rule out certain conditions as the cause.

Some tests they might recommend include:

• Biopsy
• CT scan
• Laryngoscopy
• Throat culture

Your provider might recommend other tests, depending on what they suspect or want to rule out. They can tell you more about the tests and how they can help.

How is laryngitis treated and is there a cure?

Laryngitis usually goes away on its own within a week or two. Resting your voice and staying hydrated are two key things you can do to help yourself.

Depending on the cause, your healthcare provider might recommend other treatments like medications. Possible treatments include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections (ineffective against viral infections)
• Antifungals for fungal infections
• Corticosteroids to reduce swelling and inflammation
• Expectorants to make it easier to cough up mucus
• Pain relievers to help with pain or discomfort
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to help with GERD-related laryngitis

In rare cases of chronic laryngitis, you might need other treatments, too. That could include surgery to remove a growth or speech therapy to help you strengthen your voice. Your healthcare provider can tell you about the treatments that are most likely to help your specific case.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Acute laryngitis usually goes away on its own within a week or two. If it doesn’t improve or is still getting worse after a few days, you should talk to a healthcare provider.

What can I expect if I have laryngitis?

Laryngitis usually isn’t dangerous, and most cases don’t last more than a few days. But those few days might be unpleasant or frustrating. If your laryngitis lasts longer than a week or two, talk to a healthcare provider. They can start looking for a cause and refer you to a specialist if needed.

If your job requires a lot of talking, then you should take some days off to recover. Additionally, you should avoid going to work or school if you may be contagious. If you’re not sure, ask your healthcare provider.

You should seek care immediately if your symptoms include any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• A fever that won’t go away
• Increasing pain
• Coughing up blood

Is there anything I can do to feel better?

There are several things you can do to ease laryngitis symptoms while your body heals. Here are a few recommendations:

• Let your voice rest as much as you can.
• Don’t whisper, as even that can aggravate your symptoms.
• Stay hydrated and use a humidifier to avoid throat dryness.
• Avoid taking decongestants, as they can dry out your throat.
• Ask your provider about over-the-counter products for laryngitis (and never give anyone under 18 aspirin).

Can laryngitis be prevented?

Laryngitis isn’t 100% preventable, but you can do a lot to reduce the odds of getting it. Some things you can do include:

• Washing your hands frequently, as this is the best way to prevent upper respiratory infections
• Avoiding tobacco use or vaping, and steering clear of secondhand smoke
• Minding what you eat if you’re prone to heartburn
• Staying hydrated, and remember that caffeine and alcohol can reduce hydration
• Staying up to date on vaccinations, including influenza and COVID-19

Does COVID-19 cause laryngitis?

Sometimes, yes. COVID-19 can cause laryngitis, but it isn’t guaranteed to.

What’s the difference between laryngitis and pharyngitis?

Though the terms laryngitis and pharyngitis sound similar, these conditions are different. Pharyngitis is the medical term for a sore throat. Your pharynx is behind your nose and mouth and ends just above your larynx. Your larynx is between your pharynx and windpipe (trachea), so laryngitis happens a little farther down.