acute laryngitis


acute laryngitis

Inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa and the vocal cords; acute congestive laryngitis. It is characterized by hoarseness and aphonia and occasionally pain on phonation and deglutition. It may be caused by improper use or overuse of the voice, exposure to cold and wet, infections in nose and throat, inhalation of irritating vapors and dust, or systemic diseases such as whooping cough or measles.

Treatment

Treatment includes vocal rest, liquid or soft diet, steam inhalations, and codeine or nonnarcotic cough suppressants for pain and cough. If the laryngitis is viral, no specific therapy exists; if bacterial, appropriate antibiotics should be given.

See also: laryngitis