Urgent Care Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs)

Laryngitis treatment available online today

In order to manage your laryngitis, consult with one of our board-certified primary care doctors online today to learn how to relieve your loss of voice or sore or dry throat. If any prescription medications are indicated*, pick them up at your local pharmacy after a brief but thorough evaluation. *

Manage Laryngitis symptoms and get recommendations online Ease swelling and inflammation Same-day appointments to evaluate throat and voice symptoms

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Learn about laryngitis

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, a hollow muscular organ between the throat and the lungs. It contains the vocal cords in humans and is also known as the "voice box." Normally, the larynx opens and closes smoothly. However, when it becomes inflamed or swollen from overuse, irritation, or infection, the sounds that pass through it can become distorted. The resulting voice sounds weak or hoarse. Some people refer to this as "losing your voice."

Laryngitis causes

Laryngitis can be caused by acute (short term) or chronic (long term) issues, including the following:

Acute Laryngitis

The majority of cases of laryngitis are temporary and self-resolving, with the symptoms going away after the underlying cause improves. Acute laryngitis is most commonly caused by:

Vocal strain - due to yelling, singing or overuse
Viral infections (viral laryngitis) - typically from upper respiratory infections that can affect the vocal cords, throat, sinuses, and airways
Bacterial infection - rare, but more common in people with recent throat or neck procedures (like intubation in the hospital)

Chronic laryngitis

Having laryngitis for more than three weeks is no longer acute laryngitis, but is considered chronic. Chronic laryngitis is due to repeatedexposure to irritants over time including the following:

Irritants in the air, such as allergens, chemical fumes, wood or tobacco smoke
Acid reflux--also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-- in which the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.
Chronic heavy drinking
Cancer
Persistent overuse of your voice (e.g. singers, performers, public speakers)
Vocal cord paralysis that is due to health conditions such as nerve injury from neck surgery or nerve disorders

Laryngitis symptoms

Common symptoms of laryngitis include:

Feeling ticklish in the throat

Hoarseness

Sore throat

Dry throat or cough

Voice loss

Acute laryngitis symptoms are temporary, lasting less than two weeks or so. Chronic laryngitis symptoms can last longer.

Laryngitis medication

In some cases, over-the-counter and prescription medications can be used in conjunction with rest and fluids to assist with recovery.

Over-the-counter pain relievers

You may be able to take pain relievers such as acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen for pain management during the recovery period.

Corticosteroids

In rare cases, doctors may prescribe corticosteroids to help reduce swelling and inflammation.

Prednisone Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate)

Antibiotics

If laryngitis is caused by a known bacterial infection, doctors will prescribe antibiotics. Keep in mind that the vast majority of laryngitis cases are caused by viruses, so antibiotics are rarely indicated.

Amoxicillin Doxycycline Keflex Cipro (ciprofloxacin) Cleocin (clindamycin) Flagyl (metronidazole) Z Pack (Azithromycin) Levaquin Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanate) Bactrim Avelox

How to prevent laryngitis

Some lifestyle adjustments can be made to help prevent laryngitis. Examples include:

Avoiding any known triggers, such as chemicals, smoke, or dust
Staying hydrated, drinking lots of fluids, and getting plenty of rest
Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods to minimize reflux
Not smoking, or seeking help to quit smoking
Avoiding situations that involve yelling or making high-pitched sounds unnecessarily. If you are a professional performer or use your voice daily, then voice coaching can be very helpful in learning how to avoid excessive strain.

When to see a doctor for laryngitis

Typically, laryngitis is temporary, short-term, and goes away with rest and hydration. For chronic hoarseness lasting longer than two weeks, talk with your healthcare provider to discuss chronic laryngitis and potential underlying health conditions.

One may need immediate medical attention if the laryngitis symptoms are accompanied by:

persistent fever
increasing pain
coughing up blood
difficulty breathing

Laryngitis treatment FAQs

What is the best laryngitis treatment?

For most acute laryngitis cases, self-care, such as resting your voice and drinking plenty of water, is the best course of action. Patients can expect their larynx / vocal cords to recover in a few weeks. For chronic vocal cord irritation, it is best to consult medical professionals to determine if underlying health issues may be causing persistent laryngitis.

What is the best medicine for laryngitis?

There is no specific medicine for the treatment of acute laryngitis. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken for pain management. Treatment of chronic laryngitis depends on the ultimate cause. Very rarely, prescription corticosteroids or antibiotics may be used.

Can laryngitis be prevented?

Sometimes. While some cases of laryngitis are unavoidable, there are some lifestyle modifications you can make to reduce your chances of developing laryngitis:

Avoid situations that involve yelling or overuse of your voice box (e.g. venues playing loud music, like clubs, or loud concerts or sporting events)
Reduce alcohol and caffeine consumption since these beverages tend to dehydrate you
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water daily
Avoid spicy foods since they can sometimes irritate the larynx, and cause heartburn
Avoid inhaling firsthand and secondhand smoke. If you currently smoke, talk with your doctor about help with quitting.

What is the main cause of laryngitis?

Acute laryngitis occurs due to respiratory tract infections or vocal strain.

Chronic laryngitis is caused by exposure to irritants over a long period of time. Some potential causes are:

constant inhalation of airborne irritants (e.g. smoke, chemical fumes, allergens)
persistent overuse of your voice (e.g. singers, public speakers)
acid reflux

How long does it take to recover from laryngitis?

You can typically expect to recover from laryngitis in a week or so, with adequate voice rest and enough hydration. If the symptoms of laryngitis last longer, it may indicate underlying health conditions or illnesses. Talk to a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.

Do you need an antibiotic for laryngitis?

Typically, laryngitis is caused by viral infections, so antibiotics are neither effective nor necessary. However, in rare cases where bacterial infections are the cause, doctors will prescribe antibiotics that target the specific bacteria found during diagnostic testing.

Step 1

Book a laryngitis treatment appointment.

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Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your laryngitis symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.

Step 3

Pick up a prescription to treat laryngitis.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

Related conditions to laryngitis

Laryngitis is related to other health conditions such as flu, cold, or tonsillitis.

Laryngitis can be confused with pharyngitis. Pharyngitis is the inflammation of the pharynx, also commonly known as a sore throat.

If the laryngitis is due to upper respiratory infection, the infection can potentially spread to the rest of the respiratory tract.

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