What should you know about mild laryngitis?

The larynx contains the vocal cords. When they become swollen, they cannot vibrate normally, changing the sound of your voice. A common cold can inflame the larynx, while shouting, prolonged speaking, smoke or dry air may add irritation. Acid reflux can also reach the throat and affect the voice. Hoarse voice may occur with a sore throat, cough or a need to clear the throat, but the pattern and duration help a clinician judge the cause.

Rest your voice by speaking less and using a comfortable volume; whispering can strain the vocal cords, so avoid it. Drink fluids, use humidified air if the room is dry, and avoid smoking and smoky spaces. Do not repeatedly clear your throat. If reflux seems to worsen symptoms, note links with late meals, spicy food or lying down and discuss them at a consultation. Antibiotics do not treat every cause of laryngitis, so treatment should match the assessment.

Seek urgent help for difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, inability to swallow fluids, drooling, or rapidly increasing throat swelling. Arrange a GP consultation if hoarseness is persistent, keeps returning, is accompanied by coughing blood, unexplained weight loss or a neck lump, or follows an injury. Children with breathing difficulty need prompt assessment.

Ask whether a cold, reflux or voice strain best fits your symptoms, how long voice rest should continue, and whether your throat or vocal cords need further assessment.