Infectious Disease Compendium

Laryngitis

Diagnosis

Hoarseness, sore throat difficulty swallowing and often a cough.

Epidemiologic Risks

Microbiology

Adenovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Coronavirus, Group A streptococcus, Human metapneumovirus, Influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Parainfluenza, Rhinovirus are the common causes.

In adults, Moraxella is the most commonly isolated organism.

There can be odd causes: fungi, Tb, odd bacteria.

Empiric Therapy

Mostly symptomatic unless an odd organism is isolated.

Since most acute laryngitis is viral, antibiotics do nothing (PubMed).

Last Update: 10/27/18.