Laryngitis

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, which can lead to oedema of the true vocal folds. Causes may be infectious or non-infectious (e.g., vocal strain, reflux laryngitis, chronic irritative laryngitis).

Acute laryngitis is usually a clinical diagnosis, characterised by hoarseness arising over <7 days, preceded by a viral upper respiratory tract infection. It is usually self-limiting. Patients may present with airway distress due to oedema and high fever. Exudative tonsillopharyngitis with fever and anterior cervical lymphadenitis is highly suggestive of a bacterial origin. Laryngitis can also be secondary to post nasal drip and/or sinus infection and bacterial aetiologies should be ruled out in a patient with nasal symptoms.

Chronic laryngitis is the presence of laryngeal inflammatory symptoms including hoarseness, globus, pain, dysphagia, throat clearing, or cough lasting >3 weeks. A thorough evaluation and specialist consultation, including laryngeal examination, should be obtained because chronic laryngitis can mimic symptoms of laryngeal malignancy.

Treatment for viral laryngitis consists of voice rest and hydration. For bacterial causes, antibiotics are used along with supportive measures. Vocal strain is managed with voice therapy and vocal hygiene.

Laryngitis refers to inflammation of the larynx. This can lead to oedema of the true vocal folds, resulting in hoarseness. Laryngitis can be acute or chronic, infectious or non-infectious. Accompanying signs of infectious laryngitis include odynophagia, cough, fever, and respiratory distress.

The most common variant is acute viral laryngitis, which is self-limiting and usually related to an upper respiratory infection. Bacterial laryngitis can be life-threatening. Haemophilus influenzae is one of the most frequently isolated bacteria. Other causes include tuberculosis, diphtheria, syphilis, and fungi.

Non-infectious causes of laryngitis heavy voice use and chronic irritant laryngitis (e.g. cigarette smoking).