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Laryngitis is categorized as acute if it lasts less than 3 weeks and chronic if symptoms last more than 3 weeks. [1] Acute cases usually occur as part of a viral upper respiratory tract infection, [1] other infections, and trauma such as from coughing or other causes. [1]
Croup (/ k r uː p / KROOP), also known as croupy cough, is a type of respiratory infection that is usually caused by a virus. [2] The infection leads to swelling inside the trachea, which interferes with normal breathing and produces the classic symptoms of "barking/brassy" cough, inspiratory stridor and a hoarse voice. [2]
[3] [4] This commonly includes nasal obstruction, sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, otitis media, and the common cold. [5]: 28 Most infections are viral in nature, and in other instances, the cause is bacterial. [6] URTIs can also be fungal or helminthic in origin, but these are less common. [7]: 443–445
The above statistical analysis is dated, necessarily. A 2015 study of young adult students presenting to a single clinic in Alabama had F. necrophorum as the predominant causative organism for pharyngitis 21% of the time (and found in 9% of asymptomatic students). [11]
Viruses that cause respiratory infections are affected by environmental conditions like relative humidity and temperature. Temperate climate winters have lower relative humidity, which is known to increase the transmission of influenza. [29] Of the viruses that cause respiratory infections in humans, most have seasonal variation in prevalence.
It is the cause of 15–40% of sore throats among children [7] [13] and 5–15% among adults. [8] Cases are more common in late winter and early spring. [13] Potential complications include rheumatic fever and peritonsillar abscess. [1] [2]
Laryngitis can be a short term illness or a prolonged problem. The majority of cases of laryngitis are due to viral infections that only last a few days. Laryngitis is often a common complaint in individuals who sing. Opera singers or those who yell at sporting events strain the throat muscles and develop a case of laryngitis.
Epiglottitis is the inflammation of the epiglottis—the flap at the base of the tongue that prevents food entering the trachea (windpipe). [7] Symptoms are usually rapid in onset and include trouble swallowing which can result in drooling, changes to the voice, fever, and an increased breathing rate.