Acute Infectious Laryngitis - Inflammation of Voice Box

Introduction:

The larynx is a hollow tube in the neck's anterior aspect that connects the throat to the rest of the respiratory system. The larynx protects the lower respiratory tract from aspirating food into the trachea while breathing. It functions as a voice box as it contains vocal cords. Inside the larynx are two folds of mucous membrane covering the muscle and cartilage.

What Is Laryngitis?

Laryngitis is a larynx inflammation (voice box) from irritation, overuse, or infection. The vocal cords form sounds through their movement and vibration. But with laryngitis, the vocal cords become inflamed and irritated. It is usually a self-resolvable and self-limiting condition lasting four to seven days. It lasts for more than three weeks. It is called chronic laryngitis. So the voice sounds hoarse. The voice can completely shut off in some cases of laryngitis. Laryngitis can be acute or chronic. Usually, laryngitis occurs due to a viral infection. Acute laryngitis occurs in less than three weeks. The symptoms include coughing, a hoarse voice, and pain. Most cases occur due to viral infection in the upper respiratory tract. Some cases are due to bacterial infection. Excessive use of the larynx can also cause laryngitis.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Acute Infectious Laryngitis?

Laryngitis signs and symptoms can include:

• Hoarseness.

• Weak voice or voice loss.

• Tickling sensation and rawness in the throat.

• Sore throat.

• Dry throat.

• Weakened voice

• Loss of voice.

• Dry cough.

• Constant tickling or minor throat irritation.

What Are the Causes of Acute Infectious Laryngitis?

Acute laryngitis is an irreversible condition caused by the overuse of vocal cords or caused by an infection. Treating the causative factors helps to cure the condition. These symptoms are usually mild. Drinking water and noncaffeinated fluids can help lubricate the throat. Acute laryngitis can be caused by:

• Straining the vocal cords by talking or shouting.

• Bacterial infections.

• Alcoholism.

• Viral infections.

What Is Acute Infectious Laryngitis in Children?

Laryngitis can occur in children and infants. Bacterial infections and viral infections can spread quickly from one child to another child. They can occur if a child shouts out loud for a long time because it can create a wound or bump in the larynx. The child’s voice may get hoarse. To treat the problem, they can be given fluids to ease viral laryngitis. If the child’s symptoms don’t improve or worsen, it is better to consult a doctor. There can be an infection in the epiglottis also. The epiglottis is a tissue around the voice box covering the larynx (voice box) and trachea (breathing tube) during eating and drinking. Epiglottis is an infection of the epiglottis and the tissue around it. It helps to prevent food from entering the lungs. During epiglottitis, the tissue swells so it can close off the windpipe. Typically, the child will require a hospital stay to receive treatment.

How Can Laryngitis Be Contagious?

Laryngitis can be contagious as bacteria and viruses usually spread from person to person. The spread or transfer of the bacteria, viruses, or fungi that cause laryngitis is contagious. If laryngitis is contagious, coughing and sneezing are the likely ways to spread.

What Is the Diagnosis of Acute Infectious Laryngitis?

Treatment will not be necessary if the symptoms do not subside within one or two weeks. But if the symptoms keep persisting, the following diagnosis is made:

• Taking a Culture - The doctor examines and swabs the throat. A substance is injected into the sample that helps the germ growth. Then the culture is positive if the germs that cause infection are found.

• Performing a Laryngoscopy - An endoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth to look at the vocal cords. In this procedure, the larynx is visually examined by inserting a fiber optic laryngoscopy. It has a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera and light that is inserted into the mouth or nose and into the back of the throat.

• A Biopsy - If a nodule or lump is present in the vocal cords, a small tissue sample is taken and analyzed for pathology.

What Is the Treatment for Acute Infectious Laryngitis?

The best way to recover is to take plenty of water and rest voice to relax the vocal cords. Medications are prescribed to speed up the recovery process. The medications used for laryngitis treatment are:

• Antibiotics - Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections caused by laryngitis.

• Antifungals - Antifungals are prescribed if the infection is caused by candida or yeast. Pain relievers such as Acetaminophen, Naproxen, or Ibuprofen are given to treat the pain.

• Corticosteroids - Corticosteroids are prescribed to reduce inflammation and swelling. It reduces vocal cord inflammation.

What Is the Prevention for Acute Infectious Laryngitis?

The following preventive measures can be followed:

• Avoiding Smoking - Smoking and alcohol can be avoided to prevent the irritation of the mucous membrane. Prompt resolution of the disease process is delayed by smoking. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and a well-balanced diet help the mucous membrane to stay in good condition.

• Avoid Clearing the Throat Frequently - Swelling occurs if the throat continuously irritates. Clearing the throat often can vibrate the throat abnormally.

• Avoid Spicy Foods - Stomach acids regurgitate into the throat while eating spicy foods. The foods such as fatty, chocolate, peppermint, and caffeinated drinks can be avoided.

• Irregular Meal Time - An important lifestyle modification is avoiding late meals. In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid regurgitates to the esophagus), spicy foods should be avoided, and lots of water should be recommended. Dinner should be taken 3 hours before bedtime. The patient should drink plenty of water.

• Limiting Alcohol and Caffeine - Since beverages and alcohols dehydrate the body, they should be avoided in the throat. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol severely dehydrate the throat.

• Drinking Lots of Water - Drinking plenty of water keeps the mucous membrane hydrated and thin and thus prevents roughness.

• Washing Hands Frequently - Maintain social distancing from people suffering from respiratory illness, and washing hands frequently can help prevent the spreading of germs.

Conclusion:

The condition can be treated with medications and some precautionary measures. Staying hydrated and following a healthy diet can help a person to recover from the condition. Acute infectious laryngitis is characterized by inflammation of the larynx, which is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. The symptoms of acute infectious laryngitis include hoarseness, coughing, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, the patient may experience respiratory distress and require hospitalization. The treatment for acute infectious laryngitis depends on the severity of the symptoms. More severe cases may require hospitalization and treatment with corticosteroids or epinephrine.