Is laryngitis contagious? Causes, Treatment and Prevention

We often develop bad throats and do not notice that they can be related to significant or chronic medical conditions. Yes, a disease called laryngitis can be both acute and chronic and can be contagious and non-contagious. Because of its multifaceted medical conditions, people often ask- Is laryngitis contagious? So, the answer is - "laryngitis can spread when laryngitis develops via infection in an individual." Please continue reading to simplify it in detail. 

What Causes Laryngitis?

Laryngitis may develop when your larynx, or voice box, is inflamed. Laryngitis condition can develop if your -

• Vocal cords are overused
• Vocal cords are infected by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
• When you inhale irritants, such as chemical fumes, allergens, or smoke and get inflamed vocal cords

When your vocal cords of throat tissues usually function, they open and close smoothly and produce proper voice sounds through vibration. However, when your vocal cords are infected or overused, this makes your vocal cord swollen, change in voice pitch, and the producing sounds that pass through them are distorted. As a result, you produce low voice sounds that become weak or hoarse.

What are the most common types of laryngitis?

There are two types of laryngitis: 

1 Acute laryngitis - Acute laryngitis is temporary and common. Acute laryngitis condition improves once the underlying cause is treated correctly. It is estimated that while some people are prone to laryngitis, there are a few adults who may develop the disease at least once a year.

2 Chronic laryngitis - If laryngitis is present longer than three weeks, it's considered chronic laryngitis. According to scientific research, It is observed that about 30% of the population will develop chronic laryngitis at some point in their lives. The common causes of chronic laryngitis include:

• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections
• Infections with certain parasites
• Inhaled irritants

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What can be the dangerous signs and symptoms of laryngitis?

Most laryngitis symptoms are temporary and are caused by viral infection. Laryngitis symptoms last less than two weeks.  Common laryngitis symptoms include:

• Hoarseness or a weak voice
• Losing your voice
• Sore throat
• Tickling or rawness in your throat
• Dry cough
• Dry throat

In severe cases, laryngitis symptoms can damage your vocal cords. Consult a GP or ENT doctor if your laryngitis symptoms last more than two weeks.

Is laryngitis contagious?

Laryngitis is only contagious if an infection or virus causes it. Laryngitis is most contagious when three types of conditions cause it.

1 Viral laryngitis

Viral laryngitis may develop due to a virus, such as the common cold. For instance, if you have a viral infection that caused a condition like - 

• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty in swallowing

Suppose the infection may spread to other parts of the respiratory tract. Respiratory illness in the body may cause diseases, such as a cold, bronchitis, or sinusitis. Sometimes, the infection may pass on to others when you sneeze. 

2 Bacterial laryngitis

An overgrowth of infectious bacteria causes this type of laryngitis. In these circumstances, you may feel fever, itching in the throat, running nose, and difficulty swallowing. 

3 Fungal laryngitis

This type of laryngitis is caused by an overgrowth of a fungus in the larynx. Fungal laryngitis results in prolonged disability and is sometimes associated with unwarranted surgical intervention. Thus, the whole response comprises Bacteriophage infection or infection with a fungal infection are the most frequent ways to spread laryngitis.

How is laryngitis treated? 

Laryngitis symptoms usually go away on their own in approximately two weeks. 

• The best way to recover from laryngitis symptoms is to rest your voice and drink plenty of fluids, such as water or coconut water. 
• Sometimes, laryngitis symptoms do not go away after two weeks. Your doctor may prescribe powerful medications to speed up recovery.

What types of medications are used for laryngitis treatment?

The medication needed depends on the types of laryngitis and its symptoms. 

Acute laryngitis treatments: The condition improves once the underlying cause is treated correctly. The best way to recover from Acute laryngitis symptoms is to rest your voice and drink plenty of water.

Chronic laryngitis treatments - Your doctor may recommend:

1. Antibiotics for laryngitis - Your doctor may prescribe some strong antibiotics if a bacterial or viral infection causes laryngitis.
2. Antifungal for laryngitis - If the laryngitis symptom is related to a candida or yeast infection, your doctor may prescribe or give antifungal medicines. 
3. Corticosteroids -These drugs help reduce swelling and inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe these in some situations.
4. Pain relievers - If discomfort occurs, you can take over-the-counter medications to relieve the pain. These medications may include acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen.

In severe cases, a patient having chronic laryngitis may need surgery. 

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What can a doctor do to diagnose (acute or chronic) laryngitis?

The doctor may tell you that you have been attacked by a disease called laryngitis. If you develop symptoms similar to the medical condition, you must go to the healthcare provider and discuss the symptoms. Moreover, you must go to the doctor if you notice a bad throat, and your healthcare provider will diagnose the condition in the following ways -

1. Laboratory test for a lousy throat- if you have a bad throat, your healthcare provider may test a swab from your throat and send the same for the laboratory test. The germ culture will be favorable if there is any infection.
2. Performing a laryngoscopy: Your healthcare provider may utilize a tool called an endoscope which will help to look better into the vocal cords. The endoscope may be inserted through the nose or mouth.
3. Biopsy: If your healthcare provider may find anything wrong with your throat, or any lump or nodule in your vocal cords, they may send the sample to the pathology lab for further analysis.

How to prevent the spread of the chronic disease laryngitis?

Although there is no way to prevent laryngitis, there can be certain things you can do to reduce the risk. You can maintain a bit of your lifestyle and can manage the things like-

1. Avoid smoking: Do not use any tobacco or tobacco-made products. Even second-hand tobacco is harmful to you.
2. Eat a well-balanced diet: Make a schedule and manage things in such a way that you should eat at least five meals per day, and all the meals should include different vegetables, fruits, snacks, nuts, and whole grains. Maintain a healthy diet and let yourself control your body weight to perform regular tasks.
3. Don't clear your throat: clearing your throat is beneficial when you have a terrible or viral throat, but cleansing it while you have been going through the chronic condition laryngitis, the vocal cords may become abnormal. This may result in swelling and can make your throat vibrate abnormally or get irritated.
4. Avoid spicy foods: spicy food not only hits or kicks your stomach but also damages the voice by making it a place to catch bacteria. More oily, processed, and spicier sweets may give you a little soothing effect, but they will damage your throat or even the body organs in the long run.
5. Limit caffeine and alcohol: beverages like caffeinated drinks or coffee, cold drinks, alcohol, etc., dehydrate your body. Dehydration, while chronic disease attacks you, makes you prone to more bacteria and illness. Ultimately, things worsen, and you cannot escape the disease.

Conclusion

Is laryngitis contagious? You may not need any further explanation. Laryngitis is the kind of disease that is treated to sustain the voice back. There is only a slight infection that can be treated with antibiotics. If your bad or poor throat symptoms last more than three weeks, consult the doctor. Keep hydrated and flushes out the infection.