Acute laryngitis – How does it start?
More than 40% of patients with hoarseness have acute laryngitis (Cohen et al. 2012).
Acute laryngitis is the most common form of acute voice disorder. It usually begins as a viral inflammation, but bacterial superinfections are also possible. Redness, swelling, and pain while swallowing and voicing is often present.
In unfavorable cases, excessive strain on the voice during the acute inflammatory phase can lead to permanent damage. Overuse or misuse of the voice, coughing, alcohol consumption, menstruation, intubation or inhalation of overheated air, hot or caustic vapors and gases can lead to laryngitis. It is recommended that you rest your voice or take it easy.
Depending on the type and extent of the inflammation, antibiotic treatment may also be indicated. It may take several weeks for the voice to fully recover. There is usually a complete recovery with no permanent changes.
Acute laryngitis should not be confused with chronic laryngitis.
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.
