Laryngitis: Causes And Symptoms

Laryngitis is defined as inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa, an organ responsible for giving passage to inspired and expired air. It is the most special area for phonation because it contains vocal chords.

According to specialists from the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SEORL), this pathology is considered acute if normality is restored after a short period of time (hours or days). If the symptoms last longer than three weeks, we will face cases of a chronic nature.

We will be moved, laryngitis is a  very common disease, in most cases of viral origin. That’s why knowing its causes and symptoms becomes essential. Below is everything you need to know about her.

What is its prevalence in the population?

Knowing the epidemiology of laryngitis, that is, who it affects and what is its prevalence (number of infected people in a given population), is essential to face it. Epidemiological studies provide us with a number of interesting data:

• Acute laryngitis is responsible for 15 to 20% of respiratory diseases.
• The incidence in babies is 3 to 6%. That is, approximately 6 out of every 100 people under the age of six suffer from this pathology at any given time.
• The typical profile of the sufferer is that of a two-year-old male who suffers from this disease during the fall and winter.
• Acute laryngitis has a clear familial component, because according to pediatric journals, children with relatives who have had it are three times more likely to develop it.

As we have seen,  we are facing a pathology that predominates in children’s environments. That’s because, up to six years of age, young children have a higher glottis and looser, less fibrous submucosal tissues, factors that predispose to infection.

Causes and Symptoms

Research indicates a variety of causes that can trigger laryngitis in the population. Following are some of them:

• Infectious: can be caused by viruses (cold, flu, herpes), bacteria  (Mycoplasma,  diphtheria) or fungi (candidiasis or aspergillosis).
• Non-infectious:  caused by allergies, trauma, medications, or autoimmune diseases.

viral laryngitis

According to studies, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2 and 3 are the cause of 65% of cases. Influenza A and B viruses (which cause influenza) and various types of adenoviruses are also common causative agents.

These pathogens are associated with upper respiratory infection, leading to clinical manifestations typical of influenza. Some symptoms are as follows:

• Fever.
• Sore, dry sore throat.

• Dysphagia, ie discomfort in swallowing.
• Difficulty breathing  and continuous coughing.
• Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck.
• Earache.

These symptoms result, in part, from inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, which is red and edematous, that is, with an accumulation of extracellular fluid. Treatment is based on the patient’s vocal rest and the application of antipyretics and analgesics.

In acute cases, this disease cures itself; it ceases within a few days of its appearance. The immune system fights the causal agent and there are no sequelae.

bacterial laryngitis

Second on the list of importance. According to several bibliographical sources, this variant also cures itself and quickly, but we cannot fail to mention it.

One of the most common causal agents is the bacteria of the genus  Mycoplasma, which contains more than 100 different species. The symptoms are very similar to those mentioned above: fever, non-productive cough, pain when swallowing food and dysphonia (loss of normal voice timbre).

In these cases,  the treatment to be followed is based on the use of antibiotics.  Erythromycin, clarithromycin or azithromycin are effective medications for eliminating bacteria in the larynx.

non-infectious laryngitis

There are some events that cause this disease of non-pathogenic origin, which do not respond to microorganisms, but to use and the environment around the person:

• Allergies: it is an acute inflammation of the vocal cords and the rest of the laryngeal mucosa after inhalation of allergens. It has variable symptoms, from a clearing throat to severe airway obstruction.
• Inhalations: by direct contact of the laryngeal tissue with harmful elements, such as smoke or very hot air. Common in patients who survive fires and firefighters.
• Trauma or vocal strain: laryngeal irritation occurs due to a continuous knock or excessive strain on the vocal cords over time.

What should we remember about pharyngitis?

In this article, we were able to see laryngitis as a multifaceted pathology, as it has several causes ranging from infectious agents to simple lesions. However, there are symptoms common to all of them, such as dysphonia and the presence of non-productive cough.

As infectious variants are the most common, they are transmitted between population sectors by direct contact or inhalation of fluids. Therefore, they appear with certain epidemiological patterns, showing peaks during autumn and winter.

These respiratory pathologies are quite common in babies. There is no need to worry as its nature tends to be self-healing. Still, if symptoms last longer than two weeks, urgently seeing a doctor is the best option.