In this Article

• What is laryngitis?
• What causes laryngitis?
• What are the symptoms of laryngitis?
• Is laryngitis contagious?
• How is laryngitis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for laryngitis?
• What are the complications of laryngitis?
• Laryngitis At A Glance
• Laryngitis Glossary
• Laryngitis Index

Laryngitis At A Glance

• Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box most commonly caused by a viral infection.
  
  
• Voice overuse by excessive speaking or shouting may cause vocal cord inflammation and laryngitis.
  
  
• The most common symptom is a hoarse voice.
  
  
• Chronic pharyngitis, in which the symptoms last for weeks, may be caused by by gastroesophageal reflux disease, smoking, or alcohol use.
  
  
• Chronic inflammation may cause nodules or polyps to form on the vocal cords.
  
  
• Damage to the nerves that supply the larynx may cause hoarseness.
  
  
• Treatment is usually symptomatic, including voice rest.
  
  
• If symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks, further testing may be recommended.

Laryngitis

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