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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

As with any other structure in the body that becomes inflamed, rest is the key to recovery. For laryngitis, this means limiting the amount of talking. If talking is required, the affected individual should avoid whispering and instead talk in a regular voice, regardless of how it sounds. Whispering requires the vocal cords to be stretched tightly and requires more work by the surrounding muscles and delays recovery time.

• The treatment for viral laryngitis is supportive: plenty of fluids, humidified air, acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, and time for recovery.
  
  
• For patients with significant laryngitis, a short course of steroids (prednisone, prednisolone, or dexamethasone) may be used to decrease the inflammation and shorten the course of symptoms. This treatment option is often considered for actors, singers, or other affected individuals who have to make a time sensitive presentation using their voice.
  
  
• Dexamethasone as a single dose given orally (Decadron, DexPak) or by intramuscular injection (Adrenocot, CPC-Cort-D, Decadron Phosphate, Decaject-10, Solurex) may be used to treat croup.
  
  
• The treatment of chronic laryngitis will be determined by the cause of the inflammation or loss of function. Discontinuation of smoking and alcohol use will have a positive effect.