Laryngitis treatment available online today
In order to treat your laryngitis, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today to learn how to relieve your sore or dry throat today. Get a new prescription for corticosteroids if needed, or refill an existing prescription today.*
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Ease swelling and inflammation
Same-day appointments to evaluate Laryngitis symptoms
*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor's discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how to save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of laryngitis. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Learn about laryngitis
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. The larynx is a hollow muscular organ between the throat and the lung. It holds 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.
Laryngitis causes
Laryngitis causes vary depending on whether the condition is acute (short term) or chronic (long term). Causes of both acute and chronic laryngitis are explored below.
Acute Laryngitis
The majority of cases of laryngitis are temporary and short-term, with the symptoms going away after the underlying cause improves. Below are some causes of acute laryngitis:
Vocal strain - due to yelling, singing or overuse
Viral infections (viral laryngitis) - typically upper respiratory infections that can affect the vocal cords
Bacterial infection - not common
Chronic laryngitis
Having laryngitis for more than three weeks is no longer acute laryngitis, and is considered chronic instead, suggesting exposure to irritants over time as the cause. Below are potential causes of chronic laryngitis:
Constant inhalation of airborne irritants (e.g. smoke, chemical fumes, allergens); firsthand and secondhand smoke can also be causes
Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.
Heavy drinking
Cancer
Persistent overuse of your voice (e.g. singers, 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.
How to treat laryngitis
Acute laryngitis symptoms typically goes away on its own without treatment. During the recovery period. Rest your voice and drink plenty of fluids.
For chronic laryngitis symptoms, the goals are focused on treating the underlying causes, such as smoking, heartburn, or excessive drinking.
Medications can also be used to support the recovery process.
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
Doctors can prescribe corticosteroids to help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Antibiotics
Doctors will only prescribe antibiotics if the cause is a bacterial infection and not a viral infection.
How to prevent laryngitis
Some lifestyle adjustments can be made to prevent laryngitis. Examples include:
Staying hydrated and drinking lots of fluids
Avoiding alcohol and limiting caffeine consumption
Avoiding spicy foods
Avoiding smoking
Avoiding situations which involve yelling or making high pitched sounds unnecessarily
When to see a doctor for laryngitis
Typically, laryngitis is temporary, short-term, and goes away with home rest and hydration. For chronic hoarseness longer than two weeks, talk with your healthcare provider to explore chronic laryngitis and the potential underlying health conditions.
However, 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 infection, it is best to consult medical professionals to get laryngitis diagnosed and determine if underlying health issues may be causing persistent vocal cord inflammation.
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. Prescription corticosteroids can also help reduce inflammation. If a laryngitis diagnosis reveals that a bacterial infection caused the inflammation, then antibiotics may be prescribed.
Can laryngitis be prevented?
Yes, laryngitis can be prevented with some lifestyle adjustments. Here are some changes you can make to your lifestyle:
try to avoid situations which involve yelling or overuse of your voice box (e.g. venues playing loud music like clubs)
reduce alcohol and caffeine consumption since these beverages tend to dehydrate you
on the other hand, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water daily
avoid spicy foods since they can sometimes irritate and also cause heartburn
avoid inhaling firsthand and secondhand smoke
What is the main cause of laryngitis?
Acute laryngitis occurs due to respiratory tract infection 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 be indicative of 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 not effective and unnecessary. However, in cases where bacterial infections are the cause, the doctor can prescribe antibiotics that target the bacterial infections after a medical consultation.
3 simple steps to request laryngitis treatment
Step 1
Book a laryngitis treatment appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
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.
Laryngitis treatment pricing details
How pricing works
To request laryngitis treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits
Paying with insurance
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$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
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30 days of free membership
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Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
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Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
- We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
$129
Repeats only $99
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $99 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Laryngitis Resources
Sources:
PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.
Cleveland Clinic. "Laryngitis." Accessed on September 25, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22268-laryngitis
Mayo Clinic. "Laryngitis - Symptoms & Causes." Accessed on September 25, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/laryngitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20374262