Further Outpatient Care

If the patient's laryngitis symptoms have not resolved after approximately 3 weeks, an otolaryngologist should be consulted to evaluate the patient for chronic laryngitis. A patient who has hoarseness and is not following a usual course of acute laryngitis or has risk factors for upper aerodigestive tract carcinoma should be promptly seen by an otolaryngologist.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

In addition to conservative treatment of an upper respiratory tract infection and humidification of the airway with vocal rest, antipyretics and decongestants may be administered for the patient's comfort. Mucolytics such as guaifenesin may be used to aid in clearing secretions.

An excellent systematic review attempted to answer the question of whether antibiotics were recommended in cases of acute laryngitis. The authors cite 2 studies by the same research group. In one study, patients received either penicillin V (800 mg for 5 d) or placebo. The 2 groups showed no significant difference in symptoms or blinded voice evaluation findings. The research group published a second study in which erythromycin was administered. Those who received erythromycin showed a small voice benefit after one week and slightly better cough symptoms after 2 weeks. The overall conclusion from the Cochrane Database Systematic Review was that antibiotics are not indicated for most cases of acute laryngitis.^{[19, 22]}

Prognosis

Acute laryngitis is usually self-limited. If the patient adheres to a treatment plan as outlined above, the prognosis for a rapid recovery to a premorbid level of phonation is excellent.

Patient Education

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicineHealth's Ear, Nose & Throat Center. Also, see eMedicineHealth's patient education article Laryngitis.

Questions

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Schalen L, Christensen P, Eliasson I, et al. Inefficacy of penicillin V in acute laryngitis in adults. Evaluation from results of double-blind study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1985 Jan-Feb. 94(1 Pt 1):14-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Media Gallery

This view depicts the larynx of a 62-year-old woman with an intermittent history of exudative acute laryngitis that was treated conservatively. Courtesy of Ann Kearney, Palo Alto, Calif.
This view depicts the larynx of a 53-year-old woman, a sixth-grade science teacher, whose chief symptom was a hoarse and breathy voice. Note the alternating areas of erythema and normal mucosa on the vocal folds. Also note irregularities in the contour of the vocal folds. Courtesy of Ann Kearney, Palo Alto, Calif.

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Author

Rahul K Shah, MD, FACS, FAAP Associate Professor of Otolaryngology and Pediatrics, Associate Surgeon-in-Chief, Medical Director, Peri-operative Services, Children's National Medical Center, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences; Attending Physician, Department of Otolaryngology, Children's National Medical Center

Rahul K Shah, MD, FACS, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Medical Quality, American Association for Physician Leadership, American College of Surgeons, Triological Society, Massachusetts Medical Society, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Erik Kass, MD Chief, Department of Clinical Otolaryngology, Associates in Otolaryngology of Northern Virginia

Erik Kass, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, American Association for Cancer Research, American Rhinologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA Professor of Otolaryngology, Dentistry, and Engineering, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Head and Neck Society

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Cerescan, Ryte, Neosoma, MI10<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: , Cliexa;;Neosoma<br/> Received ownership interest from Cerescan for consulting; for: Neosoma, eMedevents, MI10.

Additional Contributors

John M Truelson, MD, FACS Chairman, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Associate Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

John M Truelson, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Head and Neck Society, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Stanley Shapshay, MD, to the development and writing of this article.