10 Laryngitis Symptoms

By chelsea

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'Laryngitis.' Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/laryngitis
• 2. 'Laryngitis.' Healthdirect, Healthdirect Australia, www.healthdirect.gov.au/laryngitis
• 3. 'Laryngitis Diagnosis and Treatment.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 24 July 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/laryngitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374267
• 4. 'Laryngitis.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 24 July 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/laryngitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20374262
• 5. 'Fever.' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 13 Apr. 2021, medlineplus.gov/fever.html
• 6. 'Laryngitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001385.htm
• 7. 'Swollen Lymph Nodes.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 9 Oct. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swollen-lymph-nodes/symptoms-causes/syc-20353902

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Laryngitis is an inflammation of the vocal cords commonly caused by another illness. A cold, flu, pharyngitis and other upper respiratory infections can cause laryngitis to form. Sometimes, laryngitis develops as a primary condition due to irritation in the throat from other causes. Smoking, acid reflux, inhaled medications and inhaled irritations could be to blame.¹‘Laryngitis.’ Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/laryngitis

Although uncomfortable, laryngitis isn't usually cause for alarm in adults. It can be more concerning in children, however. Some children find eating or breathing difficulty with swollen vocal cords. On the rare chance breathing difficulties occur, it's always best to seek immediate medical attention.

Hoarseness

Hoarseness is commonly seen as the trademark symptom of laryngitis. It may be described as someone losing their voice or sounding croaky. With laryngitis, hoarseness or difficulty speaking may get worse each day or be worse upon waking.

The tell-tale hoarseness in laryngitis is caused by a combination of inflammation and irritation. The vocal cords swell in laryngitis, causing them to become strained. Once strained, vocal cords cannot make sounds like usual. With laryngitis often being a secondary symptom, irritation in the throat from coughing or sneezing is also common.²‘Laryngitis.’ Healthdirect, Healthdirect Australia, www.healthdirect.gov.au/laryngitis