Very low urgency

Common-

Inflammation of the upper airway and vocal folds, which produces a partial obstruction of the air pathway during breathing.

Usually due to a viral infection during cold periods of the year, even though some bacterial infection cases have been described.

It manifests as a cold with voice changes and hoarseness. Other associated symptoms are: mucosity, nasal congestion, coughing and pharyngitis.

The diagnosis is reached clinically through the patient's history and a physical examination.

The applied treatment is the correct humidification of the upper air pathway and vocal folds rest.

Bibliographic references

Jean M Bruch, DMD, MD, Dipti V Kamani, MD. Hoarseness in adults. UpToDate. Aug 22, 2016.
Michael A. Rubbin, Larry C. Ford, Ralph Gonzales. Faringitis, otalgia y síntomas de la porción superior de las vías respiratorias. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 1. 19ª Edición. Página: 234.
J.Mensa. Infecciones en otorrinolaringología. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen II. Duodécima edición. Página 2501.
Schwartz SR, Cohen SM, Dailey SH, et al. Clinical practice guideline: hoarseness (dysphonia). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2009; 141:S1.
Reveiz L, Cardona AF, Ospina EG. Antibiotics for acute laryngitis in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007; :CD004783.

Author

Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol

Copyright

Symptoms

Symptoms to watch out for

Fever (temperature higher than 38 ºC)

Cyanosis, bluish colour of lips and/or nails

Difficulty thinking clearly

Reduce tobacco consumption.

Reduce alcohol consumption.

Relative rest, rest until symptoms subside.

Inhale steam to keep the throat moist twice a day.

Consume expectorants and mucolytics.

Check your symptoms and get a pre-diagnosis