Laryngitis is when the larynx (voice box) gets swollen, and the vocal cords are irritated.[1] It causes a hoarse voice, fever, cough, a sore neck, and trouble swallowing.[1] Usually it gets better in less than two weeks.[1]
It can be caused by an infection in the upper respiratory tract, damage from coughing or other causes. Chronic cases, lasting more than three weeks, may be caused by smoking, tuberculosis, allergies, acid reflux, rheumatoid arthritis, or sarcoidosis.
The normal cure for laryngitis is to rest the vocal cords. Chronic cases may require medication.[2]
References
- 1 2 Wood, John M.; Athanasiadis, Theodore; Allen, Jacqui (9 October 2014). "Laryngitis". BMJ. 349 g5827. doi:10.1136/bmj.g5827. ISSN 1756-1833. PMID 25300640. S2CID 216101435. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ↑ Laryngitis, Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/laryngitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20374262, 2025