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Laryngitis

Published by Bupa's health information team, May 2009.

This factsheet is for people who have laryngitis, or who would like information about it.

Laryngitis is inflammation of your larynx (voice box), usually caused by an infection.

• The larynx
• What is laryngitis?
• Types of laryngitis
• Symptoms of laryngitis
• Complications of laryngitis
• Causes of laryngitis
• Diagnosis of laryngitis
• Treatment of laryngitis
• Questions and answers
• Related topics
• Further information
• Sources

The larynx

Your larynx (voice box) is a tube-shaped structure at the entrance to your windpipe (trachea). You can see and feel it as a lump at the front of your neck, known as your adam's apple.

Your larynx contains two vocal cords. When you talk, your vocal cords come together and vibrate, producing the sound of your voice.

Your larynx also acts as a valve to prevent food and drink from going into your windpipe instead of your oesophagus (the pipe that goes from your mouth to your stomach) when you swallow.

What is laryngitis?

Laryngitis is inflammation of your larynx (voice box). It's usually caused by a viral infection.

Types of laryngitis

There are two types of laryngitis - chronic and acute. Acute laryngitis starts suddenly and will usually go away on its own. If you have symptoms of laryngitis lasting for more than three weeks, it's known as chronic laryngitis. Chronic laryngitis takes longer to develop and your symptoms will last for longer. Most cases of laryngitis in the UK are acute.

Symptoms of laryngitis

The symptoms of laryngitis vary, depending on how inflamed your larynx is. Symptoms can include:

• hoarseness (a strained, raspy voice) - inflammation of your larynx alters the way that your vocal cords vibrate, so can change the sound of your voice
• pain when you use your voice
• losing your voice (not being able to speak)
• constantly wanting to clear your throat
• a fever (high temperature)
• difficulty swallowing
• a sore throat
• generally feeling unwell

Complications of laryngitis

Sometimes you can get a secondary bacterial infection while you have laryngitis. This means that bacteria will infect your airways, as well as the virus that has caused laryngitis. If you develop a secondary bacterial infection, your GP will prescribe you some antibiotics to take.

Occasionally, laryngitis can cause children to have breathing difficulties. This usually only happens in children because they have smaller airways.

Causes of laryngitis

Common causes of laryngitis are listed below.

• A viral infection. Acute laryngitis is often linked to another viral infection, such as the common cold or flu. Laryngitis can also be a feature of other infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Over-using your voice, for example by talking or singing very loudly.
• Smoking.
• Breathing in irritants such as dust, fumes or chemicals.
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. This is a condition where acid from your stomach leaks back up into your oesophagus.
• A benign (non-cancerous) cyst on your vocal cords.
• Allergies.

Chronic laryngitis can also be caused by repeated bouts of acute laryngitis.

Diagnosis of laryngitis

Your GP will ask about your symptoms and listen to the sound of your voice. He or she may also look down your throat with a mirror or a thin viewing tube. This may show that the lining of your larynx is red or swollen.

Hoarseness of your voice can also be caused by cancer of the larynx. So if your symptoms last for more than a few weeks, your GP may ask you to have some further tests.

If you need further tests, your GP may refer you to a surgeon who specialises in conditions of the ear, nose and throat (an ENT surgeon). He or she may look down your throat to find out what is causing the hoarseness. This is done using a narrow, flexible, tube-like telescopic camera called an endoscope. The endoscope is passed through your nose and into your throat. You will usually be given a local anaesthetic before this is done to numb the area, so you won't feel any pain.

Treatment of laryngitis

Laryngitis usually clears up on its own after a week or two. There are some things that you can do to help you feel better in the meantime.

• Rest your voice (don't speak). Try not to whisper as this will strain your voice more than speaking normally does.
• If you're in pain, take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and ask your pharmacist for advice if you have any questions.
• Breathe in air with lots of moisture in it. Try inhaling steam or using a humidifier.
• Make sure you drink enough fluids.
• Suck medicated lozenges if you have a sore throat.
• If smoking or drinking alcohol has caused or irritated your laryngitis, stop, at least until you're feeling better.

If laryngitis has been caused by a separate condition such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; this will need to be treated. You will also need treatment for any related infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Treatment of any related conditions will help to improve your laryngitis symptoms.

If laryngitis has been caused by a benign (non-cancerous) cyst on your vocal cords, you may need to have a small operation to remove the cyst. You will usually be given a general anaesthetic beforehand, which means you will be asleep during the operation.

If you develop a secondary bacterial infection, your GP will prescribe you some antibiotics to take.

Related topics

• Antibiotics
• Common cold
• Flu
• Giving up smoking
• Pneumonia

Further information

• ENT UK (British Association of Otorhinolaryngology)
  www.entuk.org

Sources

• Laryngitis. GP Notebook. www.gpnotebook.co.uk, accessed 4 November 2008
• Hoarseness and laryngitis. ENT UK. www.entuk.org, accessed 24 October 2008
• The voicebox (larynx). Macmillan Cancer Support. www.cancerbackup.org.uk, accessed 3 December 2008
• Acute laryngitis. emedicine. www.emedicine.medscape.com, accessed 24 October 2008
• Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, et al., Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th ed: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division, 2005: 192-193
• Beers MH, Fletcher AJ, Porter R, et al. The Merck Manual of Medical Information. New York: Pocket Books 2003: 1120, 1268-69
• Simon C, Everitt H, and Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005: 916
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux. GP Notebook. www.gpnotebook.co.uk, accessed 3 December 2008
• Chronic laryngitis, infectious or allergic. emedicine. www.emedicine.medscape.com, accessed 3 December 2008
• Sore throat - acute. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 11 December 2008
• Haslett C, Chilvers ER, Hunter JAA, et al. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. 18th ed: Churchill Livingstone, 1999: 382
• Youngson DR, The Royal Society of Medicine Health Encyclopedia. 2nd ed. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2001: 444
• Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 55th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2008

This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: May 2009