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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Most cases of laryngitis last less than a few weeks and are caused by something minor, such as a cold. Less often, laryngitis is caused by something more serious or long lasting.
Acute laryngitis
Most cases of laryngitis are temporary and improve after the underlying cause gets better. Causes of acute laryngitis include:
- Viral infections such as those that cause a cold
- Vocal strain, caused by yelling or overusing your voice
- Viruses such as measles or mumps
- Bacterial infections such as diphtheria — this is rare
Chronic laryngitis
Laryngitis that lasts more than three weeks is known as chronic laryngitis. This type of laryngitis is generally caused by irritants over time. It can cause vocal cord strain, injuries or growths on the vocal cord (polyps or nodules). These injuries can be caused by:
- Inhaled irritants, such as chemical fumes, allergens or smoking
- Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Chronic sinusitis
- Excessive alcohol use
- Habitual overuse of your voice (such as with singers or cheerleaders)
- Smoking
Less common causes of chronic laryngitis include:
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Infections with certain parasites
- Cancer
- Vocal cord paralysis, which can result from injury, stroke or a lung tumor, or other health conditions
