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Laryngitis natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Anthony Gallo, B.S. [2]

Overview

If left untreated, generally acute laryngitis will naturally resolve between 3-7 days.[1] Common complications of laryngitis include mild throat pain. Prognosis for laryngitis is generally excellent; there is no known mortality rate.

Natural History

If left untreated, generally acute laryngitis will naturally resolve between 3-7 days. Acute cases which progress to chronic conditions are generally associated with rare pathogen.[1]

Complications

Common complications of laryngitis include mild throat pain. Rare complications of acute laryngitis include vocal cord damage and severe respiratory distress. Rare complications of chronic laryngitis include aphonia, chronic cough, and laryngeal stenosis.[2]

Prognosis

Prognosis for laryngitis is generally excellent; there is no known mortality rate.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Aydin O, Ozturk M, Anik Y (2007). “Superior laryngeal neuralgia after acute laryngitis and treatment with a single injection of a local anesthetic”. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 133 (9): 934–5. doi:10.1001/archotol.133.9.934. PMID 17875862.
  2. Bent JP, Shah MB, Nord R, Parikh SR (2010). “Balloon dilation for recurrent stenosis after pediatric laryngotracheoplasty”. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 119 (9): 619–27. PMID 21033030.

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