Laryngitis is inflammation of the voice box, and it usually clears within a week. Colds and other viral infections are the most common cause, followed by shouting, singing or talking too much. Nurses, teachers and call-centre workers know it well.
Imagine waking up after a cold and a weekend cheering at a match. Your voice comes out as a croak, then nothing. You have a handover to give at 7am. You start whispering to save it, which actually strains it more. Rest, fluids and gentle quiet speech would help far more.
Symptoms
- Hoarse voice or losing your voice
- Tickly throat and a dry cough
- Sore throat and a constant need to clear your throat
- Sometimes fever and cold symptoms
What helps
- Rest your voice as much as possible; speak softly when you must, but don’t whisper
- Drink plenty of water
- Breathe in steam, for example from a bowl of hot water (take care with children)
- Avoid smoking, smoky places, alcohol and caffeine
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain
Antibiotics usually aren’t needed because most laryngitis is viral.
But when should hoarseness be checked?
See a doctor if your voice is still hoarse after three weeks, especially if you smoke or drink heavily, because persistent hoarseness can be a sign of conditions including throat cancer. Get urgent help for difficulty breathing or swallowing, noisy breathing (stridor), or coughing up blood. In young children, a barking cough with noisy breathing may be croup.
Your next step: Note the date your voice went. If it’s not back to normal in three weeks, book an appointment, even if you feel fine otherwise.
Sources: NHS (Laryngitis), American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, NICE guideline on suspected cancer. This guide is for general information and does not replace advice from your own nurse, doctor or pharmacist.
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