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Is Laryngitis Contagious?

Is Laryngitis Contagious

Laryngitis occurs when inflammation affects your larynx or voice box and its related structures. It is not long-lasting or dangerous, and can be treated. 

Table of content

What is laryngitis?

What are the symptoms of laryngitis?

What causes laryngitis?

Is laryngitis painful?

Is laryngitis contagious?

How to cure laryngitis in 24 hours?

How long does laryngitis last?

Conclusion

What is laryngitis?

Inflammation of the larynx can cause laryngitis. This often can be caused when vocal cords are overused, irritated, or infected. Normal vocal cords open and close smoothly. Air can easily pass through them, making them vibrate and creating the sound, which is your voice. How your vocal cords vibrate can be affected by inflammation and swelling. They affect the sounds produced by the vocal cords. 

What are the symptoms of laryngitis?

Here are some of the most common symptoms of laryngitis:

  • Barking-like cough or dry cough
  • Feeling a lump in your throat or feeling like you need something to clear your throat. 
  • Weak voice
  • Losing your voice
  • Pain when using your voice
  • Rawness or tickling in your throat. 

Individuals with acute laryngitis experience symptoms that are short-lived and may last between 3 and 7 days. If the symptoms last over three weeks, called chronic laryngitis. The chronic form of this condition may cause a barking-like cough or globus sensation. When laryngitis occurs with certain symptoms, it could affect how you breathe, making it a bigger concern. If you experience these symptoms, contact Glenroy GP at Magnus Medical for an appointment. 

What causes laryngitis?

Laryngitis might occur because of upper respiratory infections, especially viral ones. However, it can occur for many other reasons, too. Experts divide the causes into infectious and non-infectious causes. Many of the infectious causes of laryngitis are contagious, which means that they can be spread from one person to another. 

Infectious causes

Infectious laryngitis causes include viruses like:

  • Adenoviruses
  • Common cold viruses
  • Influenza and parainfluenza (croup)
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • Rubeola (measles) and rubella (German measles)
  • SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19)
  • Varicella (shingles in adults and chickenpox in children)
  • Whooping cough 

Bacteria that can cause laryngitis and infections include:

  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Moraxella catarrhalis
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae or other Streptococcus species

While not as common, you can also get laryngitis from a fungal infection. This is generally from the same fungi that cause candidiasis or aspergillosis. You are less likely to get laryngitis from a fungal infection unless your immune system is not strong. 

Noninfectious causes

Laryngitis can occur for various reasons that are not diseases you can get. These include:

  • Allergies
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Inhalation injuries
  • Irritation from chronic alcohol overuse, smoking, pollution, and secondhand smoke
  • Overuse injuries or trauma

Is laryngitis painful?

Yes. Laryngitis can be painful. It usually causes a sore throat, burning sensation, and pain when speaking or swallowing. 

Is laryngitis contagious?

Laryngitis is not contagious on its own. However, if it is caused by an infection, such as the flu or a cold, it can be spread from person to person. If an infection leads to laryngitis, it could be contagious. Infections leading to laryngitis symptoms include bacterial, viral, and fungal ones. These infections spread through close contact with an infected person or through droplets from sneezes and coughs. 

  • Laryngitis that is caused by viral respiratory infections, like flu, cold, or COVID-19, can spread the infection. 
  • Largnitis caused by bacteria is also contagious, but in most cases, you will not spread once you have been an anti-biotics for around 24-48 hours. 
  • Fungal laryngitis is very rare. However, more research is required to determine if fungal laryngitis is contagious. 

How to cure laryngitis in 24 hours?

While there is no instant cure for laryngitis, you can soothe your inflamed vocal cords in 24 hours. To heal quickly:

  • Stop talking
  • Avoid shouting and whispering
  • Stay hydrated
  • Use a humidifier

How long does laryngitis last?

Typically, laryngitis lasts 3 to 7 days, while hoarseness may last 1 to 2 weeks. The symptoms, such as a sore throat, persist for more than 2 to 3 weeks. 

Conclusion

If you are worried about laryngitis because of its symptoms, you can get in touch with a GP at Magnus Medical, which is the most trusted Glenroy medical centre