MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 25, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A

Laryngitis (cont.)

What are the symptoms of laryngitis?

Hoarseness and loss of voice is the primary symptom of laryngitis.

If the cause of laryngitis is infectious, patients most often will also present with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection or cold. There may also be:

  • a dry cough,

  • sore throat,

  • fever,

  • swollen lymph nodes (lymph glands) in the neck,

  • perhaps pain with swallowing, and

  • a feeling of fullness in the throat or neck.

In children with croup, there may also difficulty breathing. Since the way we get air into our lungs functions like a bellows, as the child tries to breathe through a swollen and narrow larynx, the cartilage may collapse, just like when attempting to breathe through a straw. As we age, the cartilage becomes stiffer and is able to withstand deeply indrawn breaths, but in children the cartilage is weaker and with each inspiration, the child may need to work hard to inhale.

When the cause of laryngitis is not infectious, cough may be a significant complaint along with the hoarseness.

If the cause is vocal cord paralysis, the swallowing mechanism may also be affected, and food particles may enter the larynx and lungs, leading to coughing. This process can also lead to pneumonia and its accompanying symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) when the food is aspirated deep into the lungs and causes irritation of the lung tissue.

Is laryngitis contagious?

Most respiratory infections and colds are contagious, and the same is true for laryngitis, if it is caused by an infection. It is most commonly a viral infection spread by aerosol droplets. It is an important to remember to cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and to wash your hands often and routinely to help prevent transmission of viruses.

However, not all people who have lost their voice have an infection.



Next: How is laryngitis diagnosed? »

Laryngitis

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe your experience with Laryngitis.

Anonymously share your comment to help others. Patient Discussions FAQs
Be the first to submit a comment

Submit Your Comment


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • ibuprofen, Advil, Children's Advil/Motrin, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever, etc. - Explains the medication ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, Medipren) a drug used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
  • Childhood Vaccination Schedule - Read our printable children's immunization schedule and learn about vaccines for kids (Hib, polio, DTaP, MMR, HPV, flu, chickenpox, meningitis, rotavirus, pneumonia, hepatitis A and B).
  • Pneumonia - Learn pneumonia symptoms, causes, treatment, signs, diagnosis and types: viral and bacterial (Pneumocystis carinii, Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae).

Latest Medical News


Living Better

Find the secrets to longer life.


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain












Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.