Laryngitis

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

Acute laryngitis is usually a clinical diagnosis, characterized 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 edema 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 etiologies 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 exam, 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 the inflammation of the larynx. This can lead to edema of the true vocal folds, resulting in hoarseness. Laryngitis can be acute or chronic, infectious or noninfectious. 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.

Noninfectious causes of laryngitis include heavy voice use and chronic irritant laryngitis (e.g. cigarette smoking).