Symptoms

In most cases laryngitis symptoms last less than a couple of weeks and are caused by something minor, such as a virus. Less often, laryngitis symptoms are caused by something more serious or long lasting. Laryngitis signs and symptoms can include:

• Hoarseness
• Weak voice or voice loss
• Tickling sensation and rawness in your throat
• Sore throat
• Dry throat
• Dry cough

When to see a doctor

You can manage most acute cases of laryngitis with self-care steps, such as resting your voice and drinking plenty of fluids. Strenuous use of your voice during an episode of acute laryngitis can damage your vocal cords.

Make an appointment with a doctor if your laryngitis symptoms last more than two weeks.

Seek immediate medical attention if you:

• Have trouble breathing
• Cough up blood
• Have a fever that won't go away
• Have increasing pain over weeks

Seek immediate medical attention if your child:

• Makes noisy, high-pitched breathing sounds when inhaling (stridor)
• Drools more than usual
• Has trouble swallowing
• Has difficulty breathing
• Has a fever

These signs and symptoms may indicate croup — inflammation of the larynx and the airway just beneath it. Although croup can usually be treated at home, severe symptoms require medical attention. These symptoms can also indicate epiglottitis, an inflammation of the tissue that acts as a lid (epiglottis) to cover the windpipe (trachea), which can be life-threatening for children and adults.