What is acute laryngitis?
Acute laryngitis is an inflammation of the vocal fold mucosa and larynx that lasts less than 3 weeks. When the etiology of acute laryngitis is infectious, white blood cells remove microorganisms during the healing process. The vocal folds then become more edematous, and vibration is adversely affected.
What is the most common cause of acute laryngitis?
The most common cause of acute laryngitis is viral upper respiratory infection (URI), and this diagnosis can often be obtained from taking a thorough history of present illness from the patient. In the absence of infectious history or sick contacts, additional causes of non-infectious laryngitis must be explored.
What causes acute laryngitis?
Causes of acute laryngitis include: Viral infections similar to those that cause a cold. Vocal strain, caused by yelling or overusing your voice. Bacterial infections, although these are less common.
How long does it take for acute laryngitis to go away?
With proper treatment, acute (short-lived) laryngitis should go away in no more than 3 weeks. But sometimes, laryngitis lasts longer and becomes chronic. But there are ways to help yourself feel better.
Is acute laryngitis common?
Approximately 1% of medical care claims are due to dysphonia, with 42% of those classified as acute laryngitis. Two percent of individuals with acute respiratory symptoms are diagnosed with acute laryngitis. Acute laryngitis is diagnosed more frequently in women (mean age, 36 years) than men (mean age, 41 years).
Does laryngitis come on suddenly?
Laryngitis usually comes on suddenly and gets worse during the first 3 days. The main symptoms are: a hoarse (croaky) voice. sometimes losing your voice.
What kind of virus causes laryngitis?
Viral laryngitis. This type is caused by a virus, such as the common cold. This is the most common infectious cause of laryngitis, but it’s the least contagious. It usually goes away in a week or two without treatment. With this type, you’re most contagious when you have a fever.
Is laryngitis bacterial or viral?
Laryngitis that develops over a short period of time is typically caused by a viral infection, but it can be part of a bacterial infection. In most cases, laryngitis is not a serious condition, but it can be a nuisance.