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).

Laryngitis is often clinically diagnosed, with acute disease presenting with hoarseness that generally arises over a period of <7 days, this is usually preceded by a viral upper respiratory infection, and is ordinarily 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.

Symptoms of acute disease, most commonly hoarseness, generally arise over a period of <7 days, are usually preceded by a viral upper respiratory infection, and are ordinarily self-limiting. Patients may present with airway distress and high fever. Exudative tonsillopharyngitis with fever and anterior cervical lymphadenitis is highly suggestive of a bacterial origin.

The airway should be assessed first. Diligence and promptness are key, as they can be lifesaving.

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 should be obtained to evaluate for inflammatory, infectious, or autoimmune etiologies, and 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 reflux laryngitis, vocal strain and chronic irritant laryngitis.