How Long Does A Laryngitis Infection Last?

Our voice box, also referred as the larynx, aids us in speaking, breathing, and swallowing. When this gets infected and inflamed, it leads to a condition known as laryngitis infection or hoarseness. The inflammation of the voice box can occur due to irritation, overuse of vocal cords, or bacteria.

When the vocal cords swell, the sound produced by air passing through them gets distorted and makes you sound hoarse. In some severe cases, one might even lose voice, or their voice could be almost undetectable. 

In general, laryngitis infection gets better in about a week on its own without treatment. Apart from short-lived or acute hoarseness, one might even develop long-term or chronic laryngitis. If you have persistent hoarseness, it can indicate a more critical medical condition and might need medical attention.

Let us find out more about what this hoarseness is all about and a few other details.

Symptoms of Laryngitis

This condition can start suddenly and mostly worsens in two to three days. Hoarseness is caused by something minor, for instance, a virus infection. Here are some common symptoms of laryngitis:

• Your voice goes hoarse. You could experience a change in pitch or volume of your voice which could range from scratchy voice to harsh, quiet, or deep voice.
• Sometimes you might lose your voice entirely.
• There is a rawness and tingling sensation in the throat.
• You might develop a mild fever.
• The throat can feel dry or sore.
• You would have difficulty speaking.
• You might have a cough that irritates your throat.
• You would feel a constant need to clear your throat.
• In children, this disease is often accompanied by loss of appetite, and in some rare cases, a child might have difficulty breathing.

How Long Does Laryngitis Infection Last?

The duration of this infection has a wide range depending on the type of laryngitis. Here are the two different kinds of this disease:

• Acute – The acute form of this condition usually lasts about two weeks and goes off on its own. Acute laryngitis infection does not require medical attention. You can treat it at home. 
• Chronic – This form of laryngitis lasts more than three weeks. You can develop chronic conditions due to overuse of the voice, but it could also be a result of some infection. To treat this type, you might have to work with an SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) or make lifestyle changes to prevent the overuse of your voice.

How Did I Get Laryngitis?

There could be a variety of factors that can lead to inflammation in the larynx. Some of them are outlined below:

• Viral infection – Common cold and flu viruses can give you this disease. In rare cases, it could be caused by bacteria or fungus.
• GERD – In GERD or gastroesophageal reflux, acids in your stomach move up to your oesophagus. Over time, these acids can irritate your throat and cause hoarseness. Laryngitis could also result due to excessive exposure to toxic chemicals.
• Allergies – If you are exposed to certain fumes or dust you are allergic to, you might develop this condition.
• Vaping or smoking (or any other irritants) – Any inhaled irritant, such as smoke or vaping, can cause infection in the larynx. Even some medications you inhale can give you laryngitis. Internal irritation, such as sinus issues or heart burns, can also cause this condition.
• Poor vocal hygiene – How you care for your voice is also a reason for voice hoarseness. For proper vocal hygiene, you must adhere to the following tips:

• Maintain adequate hydration.
• If you have to sing or give a long speech, it is a good habit to warm up your voice.
• When there is loud music or television sounds, make it a habit to move to a quieter area to talk rather than shouting over such loud noises.
• If you want to get someone’s attention in a crowded and loud environment, try other signals rather than yelling.

Link Between Laryngitis and Other Diseases

Laryngitis is often linked with other medical conditions such as flu, cold, pharyngitis, throat infection, or tonsillitis. When there are other conditions in play, you might experience the following symptoms:

• You might develop swollen glands.
• There is a pain when you swallow food.
• You might have a headache.
• You have a runny nose.
• You can have body aches and a general feeling of malaise and tiredness.

When Do I Seek Medical Help?

If you experience any of the following, you must contact your general practitioner immediately:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You develop a high fever that is persistent.
• You cough up blood.
• Your throat pain keeps increasing with time instead of decreasing.

Summing Up

Laryngitis occurs when there is an infection in the voice box or larynx. It usually does not need medical attention and goes on its own within a week. But if you experience persistent hoarseness of voice along with other medical conditions described in this article, you must visit your doctor.