Laryngitis occurs when your voice box or vocal cords become inflamed from overuse, irritation, or infection. Laryngitis can be acute short-term , lasting less than three weeks. Or it can be chronic long-term , lasting more than three weeks.
Many conditions can cause the inflammation that results in laryngitis. Viral infections, environmental factors, and bacterial infections can all cause laryngitis.
Acute laryngitis is a temporary condition caused by overusing the vocal cords. It can also be caused by an infection. Treating the underlying condition causes the laryngitis to go away.
Acute laryngitis can be caused by:. Chronic laryngitis results from long-term exposure to irritants. Cancer , paralysis of the vocal cords, or changes in vocal cord shape as you age can also cause persistent hoarseness and sore throats. These symptoms are usually mild and can be treated by giving your voice a break. Drinking water or other noncaffeinated fluids can help lubricate your throat.
Both viral and bacterial infections can spread quickly from child to child. Laryngitis can also develop if your child yells or sings a lot. This causes bumps to form on their vocal cords. Also, have them drink fluids to ease possible viral laryngitis. Laryngitis usually goes away within two weeks. A doctor can determine if other factors are causing the laryngitis or if antibiotics for a bacterial infection are needed.
Certain symptoms could also indicate your child has a serious bacterial infection around the voice box, called the epiglottis. The epiglottis is the flap of tissue that covers the larynx voice box and trachea breathing tube when you eat or drink. It keeps food particles and liquid out of your lungs.
Epiglottitis is an infection of the epiglottis and the tissue around it. During epiglottitis, tissue swells to the point that it can close off the windpipe. Typically, your child will require a hospital stay to receive treatment.
Your child will be given IV antibiotics and often glucocorticoids or dexamethasone. Epiglottitis mostly affects children ages 2 to 6 years old.
But a child of any age, or adult, can be affected. The Hib vaccine protects children from the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b. The vaccine has helped reduce the number of cases of epiglottitis caused by these bacteria.
You could also have common symptoms that mean you have a condition similar to laryngitis, including:. Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Overview Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box larynx that causes your child's voice to become raspy or hoarse. How can you care for your child at home? Follow your doctor's directions for treating the condition that caused your child to lose his or her voice. Have your child rest his or her voice. Your child does not have to stop speaking but should use his or her voice as little as possible.
Teach your child to speak softly but not whisper; whispering can bother the larynx more than speaking softly. Have your child avoid talking on the telephone or trying to speak loudly.
Have your child drink plenty of water to keep the throat moist. Be careful with cough and cold medicines. Don't give them to children younger than 6, because they don't work for children that age and can even be harmful. For children 6 and older, always follow all the instructions carefully. Make sure you know how much medicine to give and how long to use it. And use the dosing device if one is included. If your child has acid reflux, try to keep stomach acid from backing up into the throat.
Have your child avoid eating just before bedtime. Have your child avoid or limit foods such as tomatoes, spicy foods, and chocolate.
If the doctor says to, giving over-the-counter acid reducers can help when these steps are not enough. In some cases, your child may need prescription medicine. Tell your child to try not to clear his or her throat. This can cause more irritation of the larynx. It often begins like a cold, but then the child develops a fever and cough. The lining of the throat and larynx voice box becomes red and swollen. This is often worse at night. Your child may have difficulty breathing, and it may be rapid and noisy.
Activity that increases the rate of breathing even crying or excitement could make your child sound worse. Your child may become tired because of the extra work it takes to breathe. What can parents do? Keep your child as calm and comfortable as possible and offer plenty of fluids. Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever. Ibuprofen should only be given if your child is drinking reasonably well. Do not give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months of age without first talking to your doctor.
Clear nasal congestion with a bulb syringe and saline saltwater nose drops. Breathing in the cool air may ease symptoms.
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