Laryngitis is mostly caused by an infection or damage to the larynx.
Infectious laryngitis
Viral infections such as the common cold and flu are the most common type of infection associated with acute laryngitis. Other types of viral infections, including measles, mumps and the virus that causes herpes (herpes simplex virus) have also been known to cause laryngitis.
Rarer types of infection include:
People with weakened immune systems, due to conditions such as HIV or as a result of chemotherapy or steroid medication, are thought to be most at risk from fungal laryngitis.
Larynx damage
The most common type of damage to the larynx is overuse or misuse of your voice. Doctors refer to this type of laryngitis as mechanical laryngitis.
Speaking or singing for long periods of time or shouting and singing loudly can cause your vocal cords to vibrate at a faster rate than they should.
The excessive vibration can damage the surface of your vocal cords, causing them to become inflamed (swollen).
Less common causes of mechanical laryngitis include:
- direct trauma to the larynx, such as a blow to your throat
- accident or a sports injury
- prolonged coughing
- persistent and frequent clearing of your throat
Chronic laryngitis
Causes of chronic laryngitis include:
- Smoking: persistent exposure to tobacco smoke can cause long-term inflammation (swelling) of your larynx.
- Alcohol misuse: the active ingredient in alcohol (ethanol) contains many impurities that can irritate your larynx.
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LFR), where stomach acid leaks out of the stomach and up into the throat. The acid can irritate your larynx and cause symptoms such as hoarseness of voice, coughing and feeling like there is a lump in your throat that does not go away when you swallow it.
- Allergic reactions to substances such as dust, fumes, chemicals and toxins.
