Laryngitis: causes, symptoms and care for a lost voice

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, or voice box. When the vocal folds are swollen they do not vibrate normally, so the voice becomes hoarse, weak or disappears altogether.

Acute and chronic laryngitis

• Acute laryngitis comes on quickly, usually with a cold or other viral infection, and typically settles within one to two weeks.

• Chronic laryngitis lasts longer than about three weeks and usually has an ongoing cause.

Causes

• Viral infections, which are the most common cause of acute laryngitis

• Heavy or loud voice use, such as shouting at an event

• Irritants, including cigarette smoke, vaping and chemical fumes

• Reflux

• Allergies and long-term use of some inhaled medications

• Less commonly, bacterial or fungal infection

Symptoms

• Hoarseness or loss of voice

• A dry or sore throat

• A tickle in the throat and an urge to clear it

• A dry cough

Looking after your voice

• Rest your voice. Speak quietly and briefly, and avoid whispering and shouting.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Use a humidifier or breathe moist air.

• Avoid smoke and alcohol.

• Try to sip water or swallow instead of clearing your throat.

Because acute laryngitis is usually viral, antibiotics are not generally helpful. Singers and speakers should be cautious about performing while hoarse, as swollen vocal folds are more easily injured.

When to see a physician

• Hoarseness that lasts more than three to four weeks

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing, which needs urgent attention

• Coughing up blood

• A high fever or severe pain

• A lump in the neck

• Hoarseness in someone who smokes

If laryngitis keeps coming back

Repeated or long-lasting laryngitis should be assessed by an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT). If the way you use your voice is contributing, a speech-language pathologist can assess it and provide voice therapy.

This article is general information. It is not a substitute for assessment by a physician or a speech-language pathologist.

References and further reading

Antibiotics for acute laryngitis in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Stachler RJ, et al. Clinical practice guideline: Hoarseness (dysphonia) (update). Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2018.