Overview

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, more commonly known as the voice box. The larynx is a small hollow tube in the middle of your neck that helps you breathe and make sounds. Inflammation is a normal bodily response to injury or infection, and when associated with the larynx, it can result in soreness and swelling of the vocal cords.

Acute laryngitis is a mild illness that typically lasts 3 to 7 days, but a more severe case, chronic laryngitis, which lasts longer than three weeks, is possible.

Acute laryngitis is most commonly caused by a virus (viral laryngitis), but can also be caused by bacteria and fungi, although this is much less common. It is also possible to experience laryngitis due to stress on the vocal cords, such as long periods of screaming, yelling, or even loud singing. These activities, if carried out for long periods of time, make the vocal cords bang together, causing them to become inflamed. 

In some cases, the larynx may swell and cause breathing difficulties, especially in children. This is usually because children have a smaller, narrower windpipe.¹ You should seek medical attention urgently if your child is having difficulty breathing. 

This article will describe all the possible symptoms associated with acute laryngitis, along with the duration, and provide a guide on when to seek medical attention. 

Common symptoms

Symptoms often come on quickly and can worsen over the next 2- 3 days.

The most common symptoms of acute laryngitis include.

• Hoarseness or difficulty speaking or making a sound
• Sore throat 
• Mild fever (Generally between 37.1°C–38.1°C) 
• Annoying dry cough, with a sense that you need to clear your throat often 

Other common illnesses, such as colds, flu, and viral infections, can include laryngitis as part of the illness, so it is possible to have other symptoms too, such as: 

• Headache
• Painful swallowing
• Runny nose 
• Swollen glands
• Tiredness
• General feeling of being unwell (malaise) 

Hoarseness

Hoarseness is a word used to describe a change in the sound of your voice, making it sound raspy or strained. It will usually be in a softer volume, and your throat will often feel scratched or irritated. Sometimes hoarseness will turn into complete loss of the voice, also known as aphonia, making it difficult for your child to communicate. 

Sore throat

Acute laryngitis often causes a sore, dry, or tickly sensation of the throat. Keeping your child's throat moist will soothe an irritated throat. Frequent sips of drinks or use of lozenges or hard-boiled sweets will all help to keep the throat moist and comfortable. For the young child who is at risk of choking on a lozenge or boiled sweet, an ice-lolly is a safer alternative to offer relief from their sore throat. A pharmacy will be able to recommend over-the-counter age-appropriate throat sprays and pain relief, such as paracetamol, to manage discomfort.

Mild fever

A fever means a rise in the normal body temperature. The normal body temperature for babies and children is usually about 36.4°C, but this can differ slightly. A mild fever is generally thought to be between 37.1°C and 38.1°C, with anything over 38.1°C being classed as a high temperature.² You can use a digital thermometer, which can be purchased from supermarkets or pharmacies, to check your child's temperature. 

Cough

The laryngitis cough is often caused by a tickly sensation at the back of the throat, which will make your child want to cough regularly. The cough is likely to be dry, which means it will not produce any phlegm or mucus. It will normally sound hoarse and could make a barking sound when your child coughs.³ During breathing, it may be possible to hear a high-pitched sound, but normally in acute cases of laryngitis, this is only heard when the child is doing something to exert themselves, like doing a physical activity, or in babies, when crying. 

Duration of acute laryngitis

Although acute laryngitis normally gets worse during the first 2-3 days, it will ease and go away by itself, usually within a week or two. To help recover from acute laryngitis as quickly as possible, it is best to rest the voice and drink plenty of fluids. It is normal for your child to continue to have a croaky voice for around another week or so, even though any other symptoms have gone. This is due to the inflamed vocal cords, meaning it may take a while for the vocal cords to return to normal, even after the virus has passed. If symptoms continue for longer than 3 weeks, it is no longer acute laryngitis and instead will be considered chronic laryngitis.³ It is important to monitor your child's symptoms, and if any symptoms become severe or are lasting longer than 2 weeks, you should seek advice from your doctor.

When to seek medical attention

Acute laryngitis usually gets better without needing any treatment. You should seek urgent medical care if: 

• Your child is having trouble breathing or swallowing
• Your child has a very high temperature that won't go away
• Your child is coughing up blood
• Your child is making noisy, high-pitched sounds when breathing
• Your child is experiencing increasing pain

Summary 

Acute laryngitis is the result of an inflamed larynx (voice box). It can be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungi, or physical injury to the vocal cords. It is a mild illness typically lasting 3-7 days.

Medical advice should be sought if symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks. The main symptoms are hoarseness, sore throat, mild fever, and a dry cough. Other symptoms can include headache, painful swallowing, runny nose, swollen glands, tiredness, and a general feeling of being unwell. 

Urgent medical attention is needed if breathing or swallowing becomes difficult, a very high temperature that does not go away, increasing pain, coughing up blood, or noisy, high-pitched sounds while breathing.  

FAQs

How do you treat laryngitis?

Normally, within a week or two, acute laryngitis goes away on its own. To help speed up recovery from laryngitis, it is helpful to rest your voice as much as possible and drink plenty of fluids. If symptoms last for longer than two weeks, you should consult a healthcare professional, and you may need prescribed medication to treat the underlying cause of the laryngitis.

Antibiotics 

If the laryngitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to treat the bacteria causing the infection.

Antifungals

If the cause of the laryngitis is fungal-related, you may be given an antifungal treatment by your healthcare provider.

Corticosteroids

Occasionally, these inflammation-reducing drugs may be prescribed by your healthcare provider in certain situations.

Pain relief

May find it helpful to use over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease discomfort caused by symptoms. Your local pharmacy will be able to advise you on the best option for your child.

How to manage acute laryngitis symptoms?

To ease the symptoms caused by acute laryngitis, there are a few recommendations you can follow:

• Encourage your child to rest their voice as much as possible
• Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids to ease discomfort from a sore throat and to keep them hydrated
• The use of a humidifier in the room where your child is resting may help to relieve dry throat symptoms
• Discourage your child from whispering, as this can put further strain on the vocal cords

What is the difference between laryngitis and acute laryngitis?

Acute laryngitis normally lasts no longer than 3 weeks. If symptoms are lasting longer than the initial 3 weeks, your healthcare provider may now describe your laryngitis as chronic. Chronic generally describes a condition or illness that is long-lasting.

When should I seek medical attention?

If symptoms are lasting longer than 2 weeks.

When should I seek urgent medical attention?

• Your child is having trouble breathing or swallowing
• Your child has a very high temperature that won't go away
• Your child is coughing up blood
• Your child is making noisy, high-pitched sounds when breathing
• Your child is experiencing increasing pain