If you notice a swollen throat and a change in your voice during the transition period, you may have acute laryngitis

Banking! Plummeting temperatures, 'acute laryngitis' to watch out for

'Hoarseness' along with sore throat and a foreign body sensation in the throat

The mucous membrane of the larynx acts as a filter that humidifies the air inhaled through the nose and mouth and filters out foreign substances, and when it becomes inflamed by viruses and bacteria, it becomes red and swollen and causes pain. The main symptoms are a feeling of a foreign body in the throat, pain in the throat when swallowing, and sudden loss of voice or severe change.

If left untreated, inflammation spreads to surrounding tissues such as pharynx, tonsils, and bronchi, causing symptoms such as cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, and phlegm. In severe cases, it can be difficult to breathe and be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever and muscle aches.

Minimize laryngeal irritation, refrain from talking and drink plenty of fluids

Acute laryngitis is cured within 2-3 weeks with proper treatment, but it heals quickly by avoiding as much irritation as possible on the larynx. It is recommended to clean the indoor air through ventilation, and to increase the humidity in the room using a humidifier as the air is dry in autumn.

Drinking plenty of fluids and resting your voice to refrain from talking will help you feel better and relieve symptoms, and it is recommended to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, which can irritate the larynx, as well as spicy and salty foods. You may use a gargle solution if necessary, take painkillers if the pain is severe, and antipyretics, topical inflammatories, or steroids may be prescribed depending on the symptoms. In addition, acute laryngitis is also a contagious disease caused by viruses and bacteria, so if you have symptoms such as coughing, you should wear a mask in public places and pay attention to hygiene management such as washing your hands after going out.

Barking dog cough, caution for acute obstructive laryngitis in infants and young children

Infants and young children have narrower airways than adults, so acute laryngitis may progress to acute obstructive laryngitis (croup), but if you have difficulty breathing while making a coughing sound like a barking dog along with a low-grade fever and runny nose, it is better not to think it is a simple cold and seek medical attention.

In particular, in the case of acute obstructive laryngitis, the symptoms are worse at night, and if the response is delayed, it can progress to respiratory failure and suffocation, so if a child with symptoms of acute laryngitis cannot breathe properly at night, it is recommended to immediately go to the emergency room and receive appropriate treatment.