Laryngitis

Laryngitis happens when your voice box (the part of your throat that helps you speak) becomes swollen and irritated. It's very common and usually gets better on its own within 1 to 2 weeks.

What Does Laryngitis Feel Like?

The main signs of laryngitis usually start suddenly and get worse over the first 3 days:

• Your voice sounds hoarse or croaky
• Sometimes you might lose your voice completely
• A cough that won't go away
• Always feeling like you need to clear your throat
• A sore throat

Children might also have a temperature of 38°C or higher, go off their food or drink, or very rarely have trouble breathing.

Because laryngitis often comes with colds and flu, you might have other symptoms too like a runny nose or feeling unwell.

What Causes Laryngitis?

Most of the time, laryngitis is caused by a virus - the same type that gives you colds and flu. Getting your flu vaccination can help prevent this.

Other things that can cause laryngitis include:

• Allergies to dust or fumes
• Stomach acid coming up into your throat
• Coughing for a long time
• Clearing your throat too much

How to Help Yourself Feel Better

The good news is that laryngitis usually gets better by itself. Here's what you can do at home:

Things that help:

• Rest your voice - try to speak as little as possible
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids
• Keep the air moist by putting bowls of water around your home (central heating and air conditioning dry out the air)
• Gargle with warm salty water if you're an adult (not suitable for young children)

Things to avoid:

• Don't talk loudly or whisper - both put strain on your voice
• Don't smoke or spend time around smoke
• Avoid dusty places
• Don't drink too much caffeine or alcohol as they can dry you out

How to Make Salt Water for Gargling

Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. The warm water helps the salt dissolve. Gargle with this mixture then spit it out - don't swallow it. You can do this as often as you like.

Getting Help from a Pharmacist

Your local pharmacist can give you advice and suggest treatments like:

• Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain
• Cough syrup to help with your cough
• Throat sprays or lozenges

When to Speak to Your GP

You should contact your GP if:

• Your symptoms don't improve after 2 weeks
• You keep getting laryngitis or voice problems

Your GP might look at your throat with a small mirror, take a swab for testing, arrange a blood test, or refer you to a throat specialist if needed.

When It's Urgent

Contact 111 if:

• It's very painful or difficult to swallow

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• You or your child are having difficulty breathing

Don't drive yourself to A&E - ask someone to drive you or call 999 for an ambulance.

Remember, laryngitis is usually nothing to worry about and gets better on its own with rest and self-care.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.