Acute and chronic laryngitis

What it is

Acute laryngitis is inflammation of the vocal cord mucosa and larynx for less than 3 weeks, usually associated with either an upper respiratory tract infection or acute vocal strain.

Chronic laryngitis is inflammation of the vocal fold mucosa and larynx for more than 3 weeks. The duration is what separates the two.

Causes and risk

Acute laryngitis:

• Viral, which is the most common cause.
• Bacterial: Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumonia, usually secondary to preexisting viral laryngitis.
• Acute vocal strain due to screaming or protracted coughing, which can result in submucosal micro trauma of the vocal fold, with focal edema and hemorrhage.

Chronic laryngitis:

• GERD, which is the most common cause.
• Recurrent URTI.
• Chronic irritants such as smoking and chemical fumes.
• Chronic voice strain.
• Chronic rhinosinusitis with postnasal drip.

How it presents

Acute laryngitis gives URTI symptoms, rhinorrhea, dry cough and mild sore throat, with dysphagia and lymph node enlargement in cases of severe infection.