Diagnosis of Laryngitis

The clinician asks when the hoarseness started, whether you have a sore throat, cough, fever, reflux symptoms, voice overuse or exposure to irritants. They look at your mouth and throat and may feel the neck. A common cold can inflame the voice box, while Acid Reflux can irritate it without a typical burning sensation. Persistent, recurrent or unexplained hoarseness may need review by a clinician who can examine the vocal cords.

Rest your voice by speaking gently and avoiding shouting or whispering, drink enough fluid, and avoid smoke and other throat irritants. Do not start antibiotics unless a clinician identifies a reason for them. Note changes in your Hoarse Voice, pain and breathing so you can report whether they are improving.

Seek urgent help if hoarseness comes with difficulty breathing, inability to swallow saliva, rapidly increasing throat or neck swelling, or a bluish colour around the lips. Arrange a GP Consultation if symptoms are persistent, repeatedly return, follow an injury, or interfere with eating, drinking or work. A Sore Throat that is severe or worsening also deserves assessment.

Ask whether an infection, reflux, voice strain or an irritant best explains the changes, how long to rest your voice, and whether your vocal cords need specialist examination.