Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It causes hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds (vocal cords). Dysphonia is the medical term for a vocal disorder, of which laryngitis is one cause.
Laryngitis is categorized as acute if it lasts less than a few days. Otherwise it is categorized as chronic, and may last over 3 weeks.
Symptoms
- Hoarseness or no voice at all
- Dry, sore, burning throat
- Coughing, which can be a symptom of, or a factor in causing laryngitis
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sensation of swelling in the area of the larynx
- Cold or flu-like symptoms (which, like a cough, may also be the causal factor for laryngitis)
- Swollen lymph nodes in the throat, chest, or face
- Fever
- Coughing out blood
- Difficulty breathing (mostly in children)
- Difficulty eating
- Increased production of saliva in mouth
