🎤 Acute Laryngitis

 📚Submitted by:  🎣  https://warships.us/Jason_Gunthers

🎤 Acute Laryngitis

Acute laryngitis is short-term inflammation of the larynx (voice box).

It mainly affects:

• Your vocal cords

• Your voice

• Your ability to speak normally

It’s one of the most common causes of sudden hoarseness.

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🧠 What’s Actually Happening?

Your vocal cords normally:

• Open and close smoothly

• Vibrate to produce sound

When inflamed:

• They swell

• They don’t vibrate properly

• Your voice becomes hoarse or weak

In some cases, you may temporarily lose your voice.

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⚠️ Common Causes

• Viral upper respiratory infections (most common)

• Cold or flu

• Overuse of voice (yelling, singing)

• Smoking

• Acid reflux

• Irritants (dust, fumes)

Most cases are viral — not bacterial.

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🔍 Symptoms

• Hoarseness

• Weak or raspy voice

• Loss of voice

• Scratchy throat

• Dry cough

• Mild fever (if viral)

Symptoms usually last:

• A few days to two weeks

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🧪 How It’s Diagnosed

Usually diagnosed by:

• Medical history

• Physical exam

If hoarseness lasts more than 3 weeks, further evaluation may be needed.

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🛠 Treatment

Most cases improve on their own.

Treatment includes:

• Voice rest

• Hydration

• Humidified air

• Avoid whispering (it strains the voice more)

• Avoid smoking

• Treat reflux if present

Antibiotics are usually not needed unless bacterial infection is suspected.

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🚨 When to Seek Medical Care

• Hoarseness lasting more than 3 weeks

• Difficulty breathing

• Difficulty swallowing

• High fever

• Severe pain

Persistent symptoms require evaluation.

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💥 Bottom Line

Acute laryngitis is:

• Inflammation of the voice box

• Usually caused by viruses or voice strain

• Temporary and self-limited

Rest your voice — let it heal.