How do catch laryngitis

Check if you have laryngitis Laryngitis usually comes on suddenly and gets worse during the first 3 days. The main symptoms are: a hoarse croaky voice sometimes losing your voice an irritating cough that does not go away always needing to clear your throat a sore throat Children can also: have a temperature of 38C or above be off their food or drink have difficulty breathing but this is rare Laryngitis is often linked to other illnesses, such as colds and flu, so you may also have other symptoms.

How you can treat laryngitis yourself Laryngitis usually goes away on its own after 1 to 2 weeks and you do not need to see a GP.

Do try to speak as little as possible drink plenty of fluids keep the air moist by putting out bowls of water — central heating and air conditioning make the air dry gargle with warm salty water children should not try this. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Most cases of laryngitis are temporary and improve after the underlying cause gets better. Causes of acute laryngitis include:. Laryngitis that lasts longer than three weeks is known as chronic laryngitis.

This type of laryngitis is generally caused by exposure to irritants over time. Chronic laryngitis can cause vocal cord strain and injuries or growths on the vocal cords polyps or nodules. Chronic laryngitis can be caused by:.

In some cases of laryngitis caused by infection, the infection may spread to other parts of the respiratory tract. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview How speech occurs Open pop-up dialog box Close. How speech occurs Speech occurs when air flows from the lungs, up the windpipe trachea and through the voice box larynx.

As laryngitis often gets better quickly without treatment, you normally only need to see your GP if the symptoms are particularly severe or they last longer than two weeks.

If you see your GP, they'll discuss the possible causes with you and may refer you for tests or to a specialist in hospital. Read more about diagnosing laryngitis. In these cases, most of the symptoms usually pass within a week. This is known as acute laryngitis. Laryngitis can occasionally have other causes, such as smoking, alcohol misuse or an allergic reaction , and the symptoms can last much longer. This is known as chronic laryngitis. Read more about the causes of laryngitis.

Most cases of laryngitis get better without treatment within a week. To help your vocal cords heal, it's important not to smoke, to avoid smoky environments, drink plenty of fluids particularly water and try to rest your voice as much as possible. In some cases, it may be possible to treat the underlying cause of laryngitis.

For example, if the symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction, you may be able avoid the substance you're allergic to, or take medication to help control your body's response to the substance. Read more about treating laryngitis. As laryngitis is often caused by a common viral infection, such as a cold or flu, it's not always possible to prevent it.

Laryngitis occurs when the larynx voice box becomes irritated and swollen. It's usually caused by an infection or damage to the larynx.

Viral infections such as a cold or flu are the most common type of infection associated with acute laryngitis.

People with weakened immune systems, caused by conditions such as HIV or as a result of chemotherapy or steroid medication , are thought to be most at risk from fungal laryngitis. Laryngitis is also often caused by straining your voice, such as speaking or singing for long periods or shouting and singing loudly.

Straining your voice can cause your vocal cords to vibrate at a faster rate than they should. This excessive vibration can damage the surface of your vocal cords, causing them to become inflamed. Laryngitis often gets better without treatment, so you don't usually need to see your GP unless you have particularly severe or long-lasting symptoms. You may have to take a course of antifungal therapy for 3 weeks. You may also want to take a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, to reduce discomfort while your throat heals.

The average case of acute laryngitis lasts less than 3 weeks. This type can be contagious but is usually easier to treat.

Long-term forms of laryngitis can be harder to treat. Chronic laryngitis , which is laryngitis for over 3 weeks in duration, usually happens when your larynx has been permanently damaged or is constantly affected by:. These can make it harder to speak or sing and can sometimes become cancerous. Seek immediate medical help if you notice any of the following, especially if your young child has laryngitis:.

See your doctor if your laryngitis lasts for more than 3 weeks and if you notice any other symptoms like persistent fever or unusual discharge. Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by disrupted airflow.