What is laryngitis?
Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, or voice box, the part of the throat that contains the vocal cords. When the larynx becomes inflamed and swollen, the vocal cords cannot vibrate normally, which changes the sound of your voice — making it hoarse, croaky or weak, or causing you to lose your voice altogether for a while. It is a common condition, usually short-lived, and most often part of a viral infection like a cold.
Most laryngitis is acute, meaning it comes on quickly and clears up within a week or two as the underlying cause settles. Less commonly, laryngitis can be chronic, lasting three weeks or longer, which usually has a different set of causes and sometimes needs looking into by a doctor. For the great majority of people, though, laryngitis is a temporary and harmless nuisance that resolves with a little rest and self-care.
Symptoms of laryngitis
The hallmark of laryngitis is a change to the voice, but it often comes alongside other throat symptoms, especially when it is part of a cold or similar infection. Common symptoms include:
- •A hoarse, croaky or weak voice
- •Losing your voice partly or completely
- •A dry or sore throat
- •A persistent dry cough or a constant urge to clear your throat
- •A tickling or raw feeling at the back of the throat
- •Difficulty speaking, or your voice tiring quickly
- •Sometimes a mild fever or other cold-like symptoms if caused by an infection
What causes laryngitis?
The most common cause of acute (short-term) laryngitis is a viral infection, such as the virus that causes a cold or the flu, which inflames the voice box as part of a wider throat and airway infection. The second very common cause is straining or overusing the voice — shouting at a concert or match, cheering, singing, or speaking loudly for long periods — which irritates the vocal cords even without any infection.
Chronic (long-lasting) laryngitis, which persists for three weeks or more, tends to have different causes. These include ongoing irritation from smoking, acid reflux (where stomach acid rises and irritates the throat), heavy or prolonged voice use as an occupational hazard for teachers, singers and others, and exposure to irritants such as smoke, fumes or allergens. Because persistent hoarseness can occasionally signal something that needs attention, chronic laryngitis is worth having assessed by a doctor.
How to treat laryngitis and get your voice back
Because most laryngitis is viral or caused by voice strain, it usually gets better on its own, and treatment focuses on resting the voice and easing symptoms while the inflammation settles. The single most helpful thing is to rest your voice — speak as little as possible, and avoid whispering, which actually strains the vocal cords more than speaking softly and normally. Give your voice the chance to recover rather than pushing through.
Other measures that help include staying well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, keeping the air around you moist (for example with steam inhalation or a humidifier), and avoiding things that dry out or irritate the throat, such as smoking, smoky environments and alcohol. Warm drinks and simple pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease any soreness. Antibiotics do not help viral laryngitis and are not usually needed, as the infection clears on its own.
Acute versus chronic laryngitis
It is useful to distinguish between the two forms of laryngitis, because they differ in how long they last, what causes them, and whether they need medical attention. Acute laryngitis comes on suddenly, usually from a viral infection or a bout of voice strain, and clears up within one to two weeks as the cause resolves. This is by far the most common form and rarely needs anything beyond rest and self-care.
Chronic laryngitis lasts three weeks or longer and usually stems from ongoing irritation rather than a passing infection — smoking, acid reflux, repeated heavy voice use, or exposure to irritants. Because a hoarse voice that persists for more than three weeks can occasionally be a sign of a condition that needs treatment, chronic or unexplained long-lasting hoarseness should always be checked by a doctor, who can look at the vocal cords and identify the underlying cause.
When a hoarse voice needs checking
Most laryngitis is harmless and settles on its own, so it does not usually need a doctor. However, there are situations where a hoarse voice or throat problem should be assessed. The most important rule of thumb is that any hoarseness lasting longer than about three weeks, especially without an obvious cause like a recent cold, should be checked by a doctor. Persistent, unexplained voice changes are worth investigating rather than ignoring.
Other reasons to seek medical advice include a hoarse voice accompanied by difficulty breathing or swallowing, coughing up blood, a lump in the neck, or severe pain — these are uncommon but need prompt attention. For a child, noisy or difficult breathing alongside a hoarse voice or a barking cough should be assessed urgently, as young children's airways are narrower. For most adults, though, laryngitis is simply a matter of resting the voice and waiting for it to pass.