A health condition in which the inflammation negatively affects the larynx, voice box, and related structures is called laryngitis. This condition occurs quite commonly, and it often causes hoarseness and sometimes a loss of voice. Most of the time, laryngitis is not dangerous or long-lasting. Moreover, laryngitis can disappear on its own, but in more advanced cases, it is treatable.
Possible causes of laryngitis include overuse, irritation, or infection of the vocal cords. Normally, the vocal cords open and close smoothly, which allows the air to pass between them and vibrate. This process makes your voice. However, inflammation of the vocal cords negatively affects the way your vocal cords vibrate.
Symptoms
Check the most common symptoms of laryngitis below:
- Voice loss
- Pain while using the voice
- Rawness or tickling in the throat
- Dysphonia (hoarseness or a weak voice)
- A feeling like you have a lump in the throat
- Cough (including dry cough)
If you develop an acute laryngitis, the symptoms do not last a long time (between 3 and 7 days). If you have symptoms for more than one week, the condition is called chronic (long-lasting) laryngitis. Rarely, laryngitis may affect your ability to breathe as well as cause other symptoms. Immediately contact your physicians if any of the following symptoms occur. For example:
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Drooling
- Painful or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Stridor (a high-pitched noise while breathing)
What Are The Causes of Laryngitis?
While most of the time, laryngitis is caused by upper viral respiratory infections, it may also occur due to other causes. Furthermore, healthcare professionals have divided the causes of laryngitis into infectious and noninfectious causes. Most infectious causes of laryngitis are also contagious, which means they can spread from one person to another.
Infectious Causes
This category includes the following viruses. For example:
- Varicella (chickenpox in children and shingles in adults)
- Pertussis (also known as whooping cough)
- COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2-virus)
- RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
- Rubeola (measles) and rubella (also called German measles)
- Influenza and parainfluenza
- Common cold viruses
- Adenoviruses
There are also some bacteria that may cause laryngitis. These include Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae (including other Streptococcus species), and Haemophilus influenzae. In rare cases, laryngitis may happen due to fungal infections. People often develop it due to aspergillosis or candida. Commonly, fungal infections cause laryngitis in people with a weakened immune system or who administer inhaled steroids.
Noninfectious Causes
For example:
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Inhalation injuries (such as from smoke inhalation)
- Allergies
- Overuse injuries or trauma (these include overusing the voice, screaming, yelling, or singing)
- Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Irritation caused by misuse of alcoholic drinks, smoking (including secondhand smoke), pollution, and others.
- Tumors or lesions of the vocal cord (such as benign growths and malignant tumors)
Risk Factors
While anyone can develop laryngitis, there are some factors that could increase your risk. Check some examples below:
- Vocal misuse or abuse (including cheering, singing, talking excessively)
- Respiratory infections – These include colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, and other upper respiratory infections.
- Prolonged exposure to chemicals or irritants – For example, smoking cigarettes, secondhand smoke, industrial chemicals, and allergens.
- Lifestyle habits – People who excessively drink beverages that contain alcohol or caffeine are at increased risk for laryngitis.
- Certain medicines – Long-term use of inhaled steroids or bronchodilators may also increase your risk of developing laryngitis. Moreover, anticholinergics may also contribute to this condition.
- Dehydration – The vocal cords are not lubricated properly if you are not drinking enough water.
What Happens if Laryngitis is Left Untreated?
Generally, people with laryngitis rarely experience complications. Check some examples below:
- Respiratory distress – This complication can cause severe swelling that can block the airway. Usually, it requires emergency care.
- Epiglottitis – When inflammation spreads to the cartilage lid that covers the windpipe, this complication occurs. It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment.
- Voice changes – People who develop the chronic form of laryngitis may also experience persistent hoarseness or even a loss of voice.
- Infection spread – If you develop laryngitis due to a bacterial infection, it may spread to other parts of the respiratory tract (including the lungs).
- Underlying disorders – Examples include voice abuse, cancer, vocal cord paralysis, and others.
This document does not contain a full list of complications. However, you can consult with your physician about ways to reduce the risk or even prevent them.
Is There a Way to Prevent Laryngitis?
It is not always possible to prevent this condition, but doctors may recommend some tips to reduce the risk. These include:
- Regularly washing hands with soap and warm water to prevent upper respiratory infections
- Quit smoking or vaping – If you have problems with smoking cessation, discuss it with your physician.
- Stay hydrated and limit or avoid alcoholic drinks
- Stay up to date on vaccinations (including COVID-19 and influenza)
Diagnosis
While most of the time doctors diagnose laryngitis by asking questions about your symptoms and recent activities, they may also perform a physical examination to check your throat and listen to the lungs. Usually, tests are not necessary, but doctors often perform them to rule out other disorders as the cause. Examples include:
- CT (computerized tomography) scans
- Laryngoscopy
- Throat culture
- Biopsy – During this procedure, physicians will take a small sample of the affected tissue for testing.
Treatment
This condition does not always require treatment. In some cases, it disappears within 1-2 weeks without treatment. However, if you develop a more serious form of laryngitis, doctors may prescribe the following options. These include:
- Antifungal medicines to treat fungal infections
- Antibiotics (used to treat bacterial infections)
- Corticosteroids (to reduce inflammation and swelling)
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that often help with GERD-related laryngitis
- Pain relievers
- Expectorants
Rarely, people with chronic laryngitis may need additional treatments (including speech therapy or surgery to remove a growth).
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see my healthcare provider?
While people with acute laryngitis usually do not need treatment because the condition goes away on its own, those who develop the chronic form of laryngitis may need long-term treatment to control the condition.
Does COVID-19 cause laryngitis?
Yes, in some cases, people with COVID-19 may also develop laryngitis. For more details, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
What is the difference between laryngitis and pharyngitis?
While these medical terms sound similar, they are different. Pharyngitis is a medical term used to describe a sore throat, but laryngitis occurs due to inflammation of the larynx. It is localized between the pharynx and windpipe (trachea). If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
