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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffAcute laryngitis caused by a virus often gets better on its own within a week or so. Self-care measures can also help improve symptoms.
Chronic laryngitis treatments are aimed at treating the underlying causes, such as heartburn, smoking or excessive use of alcohol.
Medications used in some cases include:
- Antibiotics. In almost all cases of laryngitis, an antibiotic won't do any good because the cause is viral. But if you have a bacterial infection — a rare cause of laryngitis — your doctor may recommend an antibiotic.
- Corticosteroids. Sometimes, corticosteroids can help reduce vocal cord inflammation. However, this treatment is used only when there's an urgent need to treat laryngitis — for example, when you need to use your voice to sing or give a speech or oral presentation, or in some cases when a toddler has laryngitis associated with croup.
References
- Taking care of your voice. National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/takingcare.asp. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Lustig LR, et al. Common laryngeal disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2674&searchStr=laryngitis#2674. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010
- Rubin MA, et al. Pharyngitis, sinusitis, otitis, and other upper respiratory tract infections. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2883585&searchStr=laryngitis#2883585. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Knox MA. Common infections in children. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3031411&searchStr=croup. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010
- Mehanna HM, et al. Fungal laryngitis in immunocompetent patients. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology. 2004;118:379.
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