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Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• Laryngitis facts
• What is laryngitis?
• What causes laryngitis?
• What are the symptoms of laryngitis?
• Symptoms of laryngitis in adults
• Symptoms of laryngitis in infants and children
• Is laryngitis contagious?
• How is laryngitis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for laryngitis?
• Are there any home remedies for laryngitis?
• What are the complications of laryngitis?
• Patient Comments: Laryngitis - Describe Your Experience
• Find a local Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor in your town
• Laryngitis Index

Laryngitis is contagious if it is caused by an infection. If a respiratory infection or cold is caused by an infection, they are contagious. Laryngitis, upper respiratory infections, and colds are commonly a viral infection spread by aerosol droplets.

Covering the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, and proper hygiene habits (for example, washing the hands often) help prevent transmission of viruses.

The health care practitioner can often diagnose laryngitis quickly at the doctor's office. The history of upper respiratory tract infection associated with loss of voice is reinforced by the patient answering questions in a hoarse voice. The examination is often brief and limited to the ears, nose, and throat, looking for other potential causes of the cold-like symptoms. If the throat is red and there is a concern about a strep throat in addition to the laryngitis, a throat swab for a strep screen may be done.

If the hoarse voice becomes chronic, the health care practitioner may want to take a more detailed history, accessing reasons why the larynx and vocal cords have become inflamed for a prolonged period of time.

Questions may be asked about:

• Diet, use of alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, and smoking, all of which may cause gastroesophageal reflux disease. Alcohol and tobacco smoking can irritate the vocal cords.
  
  
• Work and hobbies may reveal evidence of repeated chemical inhalation and exposure.
  
  
• Exploration in regard to whether there may be thyroid disease, symptoms of stroke, or cancers of the head and neck.

Most cases of laryngitis need no testing to confirm the diagnosis. In those patients with chronic laryngitis, the necessity for blood tests, X-rays and other diagnostic tests will depend upon the patient presentation and the potential concerns that the health care practitioner has regarding the cause of the hoarseness.

Laryngoscopy is the most common test performed to look directly at the vocal cords and evaluate their function. Using a thin tube containing a lighted fiberoptic camera inserted through the nose into the back of the throat, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) can see whether the vocal cords are inflamed, if there are any polyps or nodules growing on them, and if they move appropriately with breathing and speaking.