# Laryngitis question - Important! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 20, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393 "2005-12-20T02:11:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/1 "2005-12-20T02:11:02Z")
I know medical threads are touchy here, but I’m not asking for a diagnosis, just opinions… I’ve had a cold since Friday and it’s now morphed into an infected larynx (I’ve had this several times before, so I know for sure). I’ve completely lost my voice, my larynx is inflamed, swallowing feels a bit tight and when I cough I occasionally taste some bad-tasting mucus in my throat. My boss ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT let me take off work this week to go to the doctor. What I’m wondering is: can this type of infection get better on its own without antibiotics? What’s the worst that could happen? I have no choice but to go to work so I’d like to know if I’m actually harming myself further. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/2 "2005-12-20T02:33:50Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > …My boss ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT let me take off work this week to go to the doctor. … What a schmuck! Cough on him, mebbe he’ll change his mind. Infections MIGHT get better without treatment, but WITH treatment they’ll get better FASTER, and get you back to work FASTER. So it’s to your idiot boss’s benefit that you go to the doctor. But I’d still cough on him. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/3 "2005-12-20T02:44:58Z")
Most laryngitis is causes by viruses, not bacteria. So antibiotics rarely do any good, for the typical cases. No treatment other than voice rest, pain relievers, humidified air, and fluids seems to be effective for the viral infections. [http://fpnotebook.com/ENT100.htm](http://fpnotebook.com/ENT100.htm) QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/4 "2005-12-20T03:23:37Z")
Relating to what **Qadgop** said, does your doctor usually give you antibiotics when your throat feels like this? ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/5 "2005-12-20T03:29:00Z")
The last time I had the symptoms you describe, I was diagnosed with bronchitis and prescribed antibiotics. Sheesh, can’t your boss let you make up the work time or something? After a couple of days on antibiotics, I could talk again - maybe that will be enough incentive. ---
**Author:** ![dre2xl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@dre2xl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dre2xl)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/6 "2005-12-20T03:33:54Z")
I caught something wherein I lost my voice for 2 days (preceded by 2 days of hoarseness/altered voice before & afterwards). I didn’t go to the doctor. It went away fine. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/7 "2005-12-20T03:58:07Z")
You might try a warm saltwater gargle. Just don’t do it if your throat is clogged with junk; I tried that and it made me sick. If it’s relatively clear, though, it might at least dull the pain and kill some of what’s in there. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/8 "2005-12-20T04:04:10Z")
The first time I got this I was given antibiotics - but it could have gone away on its own, without the meds actually doing anything. It was a few years back. Although, then, I was coughing up and blowing out green stuff. I ain’t actually hacking out anything this time, and nasal excretions are mostly clear - and it did begin as a cold this time - so I bet **QtM** is right on the money (he _is_ the Dynamic Doc around these parts…;)) Oh, I coughed plenty around my boss this morning. I’m sure some germs must have made contact with him. I also made half-hearted attempts to shield my cough when he was about. If this had happened most other months it wouldn’t be a problem (he’d still make me feel guilty, but I’d get to take the day off). This week is the last week I have to finish preparing approx. 200 individual art kits for students in the new term - I’ve still got a lot of work to do, and my boss is a complete idiot/fuckup, so everything will fall to shit if I take off, and I’ll ultimately be the one who suffers. He basically told me earlier in the month, “Don’t get sick”. Yeah, ok there. :rolleyes: Bastard can make me work, but he can’t make me talk! (hell, _I_ can’t make me talk…) ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/9 "2005-12-20T04:18:19Z")
Submitted too soon. :smack: **Eva Luna** , I used to get chronic bronchitis - this ain’t it. My lungs are fine, it’s all in my throat. And I feel fine otherwise, except I’m a bit more tired than usual (and snotty). I have a face steam machine that has an attachment meant to help you breathe in the steam - I’ll use that. I’ve got lots of tea and Tylenol too. If it worsens tomorrow I can go to emerg after work. It’s usually a 6 hour wait or more but it’d be the only option I’d have. For now, though, I can deal. ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/10 "2005-12-20T08:58:37Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > The first time I got this I was given antibiotics - but it could have gone away on its own, without the meds actually doing anything. It was a few years back. Although, then, I was coughing up and blowing out green stuff. I ain’t actually hacking out anything this time, and nasal excretions are mostly clear - and it did begin as a cold this time - so I bet **QtM** is right on the money (he _is_ the Dynamic Doc around these parts…;)) Yep, you may be right. As a rule of thumb, nothing that comes out of your head is ever supposed to be green. As long as we’re sharing folk remedies… if you absolutely must talk for a short period, eat mashed potatoes beforehand. I don’t know why, but when I’ve lost my voice, hot mashed potatoes somehow bring it back for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/11 "2005-12-20T20:16:31Z")
The color of nasal secretions is **not** a reliable guide as to whether the infection is viral or bacterial or fungal based or anything. Many viruses result in greenish mucous drainage. And most bronchitis is viral anyway, and rarely should antibiotics be used in bronchitis. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/12 "2005-12-20T21:55:58Z")
Finally starting to cough some stuff up. This is good. And I’m able to sleep a little. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/13 "2005-12-20T22:13:14Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > Finally starting to cough some stuff up. This is good. And I’m able to sleep a little. Doctor: Is it a productive cough? Patient: I’m coughing up stuff if that’s what you mean. I’m not doing anything with it though… – some comedian ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/14 "2005-12-20T23:42:38Z")
I’ve had laryngitis several times. It used to show up every time I had a sufficiently messy head cold; the infection seemed to follow my postnasal drip down to my larynx. Several years ago I started daily irrigation of my nose (an old “natural” treatment for sinus problems), which mostly eliminated my postnasal drip, and I haven’t had laryngitis since. IANAD, YMMV, this is not medical advice, past results are no guarantee of future performance, etc. To return to the original post: My laryngitis, FWIW, always got better without antibiotics. It is crucial not to talk. Talking with inflamed vocal cords can cause permanent damage. Carry index cards or a notepad or an Etch a Sketch (and a pen of course) and laboriously write out your responses every time your boss speaks to you; if he’s going to make you work he can damn well wait. Try Vicks VapoRub in the steam inhalations, and drink lots of fluids. Hope you feel better soon. ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/15 "2005-12-20T23:51:47Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > The color of nasal secretions is **not** a reliable guide as to whether the infection is viral or bacterial or fungal based or anything. Many viruses result in greenish mucous drainage. Yes, to clarify that rule of thumb… something green coming out of your head doesn’t necessarily mean virus or bacteria or anything specific like that. It just means that all is not right with the world. And by the world I mean your head. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/16 "2005-12-20T23:59:26Z")
Oh, and [don’t whisper](http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/ue5051.asp), either. Whispering puts about as much strain on your vocal chords as yelling. Be sure to write that down for your boss if he tells you to do whisper. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/17 "2005-12-21T02:59:08Z")
Wow, I didn’t know talking with this could be so bad. Hope I haven’t permanently screwed up anything already. I’ve pretty much had no choice but to talk through most of today (stupid ass boss kept calling my extension with really!important!stuff! Even though I told him I wanted to try not to talk today). Tomorrow, it’s pen & paper for me. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/18 "2005-12-21T03:14:29Z")
Hey, anybody happen to have remedies for a chapped nose? I’ve been blowing my nose constantly and the sides of my nostrils are raw and chapped and hurt like hell. I tried rubbing in some hydrocortisone cream, but that came off pretty quick as I need to keep blowing my nose. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/19 "2005-12-21T03:38:16Z")
Useful things for a sore, chapped nose: Saline nasal spray for one, to replenish the moisture. Repeat often. And either vaseline or olive oil, as a protective coating. One may lay it down a few times a day. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laryngitis-question-important/336393/20 "2005-12-21T03:57:23Z")
Many thanks. I’ll go oil my nose right now.