Laryngitis is usually a self-limiting condition. It will probably get better by itself without the need for treatment, so a medical diagnosis isn't usually required.
You will usually only need to contact your GP if:
- You experience breathing difficulties.
- You experience additional symptoms that suggest you have a more serious infection, such as high temperature (fever) above 38C (100.4F) and swollen glands (usually in the neck).
- Your symptoms last for longer than three weeks.
Chronic laryngitis
If your symptoms last for longer than three weeks, your GP will discuss with you what could be causing them, including:
- smoking
- drinking alcohol
- overusing your voice
- being exposed to potentially allergic substances
Your GP may refer you for blood tests and take a small tissue sample from your throat using a swab (a small cotton bud with a plastic loop at the end). This is to check for a possible viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
If a reason for your laryngitis cannot be found, you may be referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.
Your ENT specialist may recommend a:
- computerised tomography (CT) scan: a series of X-rays are taken; these are then assembled by a computer into a more detailed ‘3D’ image of your brain
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: a MRI scan uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed scans of the soft tissue of your brain
- biopsy: where a sample of tissue is taken to check for the presence of cancerous cells
These tests are often used to make sure your symptoms are not the result of laryngeal cancer.
Laryngeal cancer is uncommon, but it is important to confirm it or rule it out quickly because the sooner laryngeal cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment will be.
Other tests that may be used include:
- a skin allergy test to check whether you have an allergy to certain substances
- chest and neck X-ray to check for any abnormalities, such as an unusual narrowing or swelling of your larynx
- laryngoscopy, which is a test that examines your larynx with a mirror or a fibre-optic camera to check if the tissue has been damaged
A laryngoscopy is not painful, but the fibre-optic camera may trigger your gag reflex, which in turn can make you feel like you want to be sick (but it is highly unlikely that you will be sick).
The gag reflex is an automatic defence mechanism that your body uses to prevent you from accidentally choking on food. Local anaesthetic can be used to numb your throat, which should help reduce this sensation.
An alternative to using a fibre-optic camera is to use an instrument called a rigid laryngoscope, which is a metal T-shaped device containing an angled lens. This type of laryngoscope is particularly useful for assessing the state of the vocal cords.
Another test that can be used if you are having persistent problems with your voice is a videostroboscope. This involves using a small flexible camera attached to a tube (endoscope) to study your larynx as you talk and sing. The images relayed by the endoscope can provide important insights into why you are having problems with your voice.
A videostroboscopy can be particularly useful if you are a professional singer having problems with your voice.
