Acute laryngitis – How does it start?
The acute laryngitis mostly starts with a viral infection, however a bacterial infection might be superimposed. Redness, swelling, and pain while swallowing and voicing is often present. The voice can be partially lost (hoarseness) or totally lost (aphonia). Although most infections heal without any long term problems, in some rare cases scarring and consecutive permanent hoarseness may result.
Voice rest may be appropriate and refraining from throat clearing and coughing is advisable in the acute phase. Any voice problem persisting longer than 3 weeks should be examined with a laryngoscopy procedure by an otolaryngologist. As a highly specialised voice clinic, we can help when hoarseness or other problems persist.
