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Laryngitis
What tests are done for acute laryngitis in children?
Generally speaking, laryngitis is classified as an inflammatory disease. To determine whether it might be a bacterial or viral infection, we typically recommend a complete blood count and C-reactive protein test. Based on the white blood cell count, the classification of white blood cells, and the level of C-reactive protein, we can make an initial judgment about whether the cause is likely viral or bacterial, and then proceed with the corresponding treatment. Additionally, laryngoscopy can also be performed to examine the condition of the laryngeal tissues and other structures for differential diagnosis.
Is laryngitis serious?
Laryngitis is a relatively common otolaryngology disease, and generally, it is not particularly severe. The more common types of laryngitis include acute laryngitis and chronic laryngitis. Clinically, it mainly manifests as sore throat, hoarseness, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. In terms of treatment, medication remains the main approach. For acute laryngitis, oral antibiotics can be considered, commonly cephalosporins or penicillins. For chronic laryngitis, taking traditional Chinese medicine orally can be considered, and it is advisable to combine this with nebulizer therapy, with regular follow-ups to monitor recovery. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
What department should I go to for laryngitis?
Laryngitis requires an examination by an otolaryngologist. It is an emergency in the field of otolaryngology and is common in infants and young children. It can cause sudden high fever in patients, with body temperature above 38.5℃, severe throat pain, breathing difficulties, and painful swallowing. In severe cases, it may also lead to a barking cough, choking, and even death. If a patient exhibits the above symptoms, an initial test with an electronic laryngoscopy can reveal significant congestion and edema of the vocal cords. In terms of treatment, laryngitis primarily requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment to reduce inflammation. It is also necessary to locally apply corticosteroids to lessen the congestion and swelling of the vocal cords and avoid breathing difficulties. During treatment, the patient's breathing should be closely monitored, and if choking occurs, a tracheotomy may be needed. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and avoid self-medication.)
Does laryngitis cause a fever?
Laryngitis can cause fever and is considered an emergency in otolaryngology, prevalently seen in infants and young children. It can lead to sudden high fever, with temperatures above 38°C, severe throat pain, hoarse voice, bark-like coughing, and in severe cases, it can cause breathing difficulties, and even lead to choking and death. Examination may reveal evident congestion and swelling of the bilateral vocal cords, and incomplete closure of the glottis, resulting in the hoarseness of the voice. In terms of treatment, it is primarily necessary to use anti-inflammatory treatment targeted at symptoms, as laryngitis is generally caused by a bacterial infection, so patients can effectively use oral cephalosporin antibiotics. Additionally, corticosteroids are also used to reduce local congestion and swelling. During treatment, it is essential to closely monitor the patient's temperature and respiratory condition. If the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, antipyretic medication should be administered, and in cases of breathing difficulties, tracheotomy may be necessary. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Difference between the symptoms of laryngitis and throat cancer
There is a fundamental difference between laryngitis and laryngeal cancer. Laryngitis is an inflammatory infectious disease, mainly caused by bacterial infection or chronic inflammatory conditions, clinically characterized primarily by hoarseness. Treatment is mainly through medication, such as oral medications or nebulized inhalation therapy. Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumorous disease, primarily squamous cell carcinoma. Clinically, in addition to hoarseness, we can also observe tumorous lumps and swelling of the cervical lymph nodes, which are manifestations of malignant tumors. The treatment of laryngeal cancer primarily involves comprehensive treatment led by surgery, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and some biological treatments, etc. Therefore, there is a fundamental difference between the two.
How is laryngitis treated?
Laryngitis in treatment primarily requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory therapy to eliminate inflammation. Laryngitis is an ENT emergency, commonly seen in infants and young children, and can lead to sudden high fever, hoarseness, severe throat pain, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it may also present with a barking cough, choking, and even death. When examining with a laryngoscope, notable bilateral vocal cord congestion and edema can be observed. For treatment, patients firstly need a complete blood count; if there is an increase in white blood cells, a bacterial infection may be considered, and oral or intravenous antibiotics may be administered. If lymphocytes are elevated, symptomatic antiviral treatment should be conducted. Patients also need to use corticosteroids to reduce congestion and edema in the throat area. During treatment, closely monitor the patient's breathing, and if breathing difficulties occur, a tracheotomy may be necessary. (Please administer medications under the guidance of a professional physician and do not medicate blindly.)
Symptoms of pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is a relatively common throat disease, which has various clinical symptoms and individual differences. Common symptoms include repeated sore throat, a sensation of a foreign body in the throat, and possibly acid reflux and burping. Overall, the symptoms are diverse and vary from person to person. In terms of treatment, it usually begins with a laryngoscopy to visually assess the extent of inflammation in the throat. Blood tests are also recommended to determine whether the infection is bacterial or viral. Once the type of infection is confirmed, targeted anti-infection treatment can be considered. This can be supplemented with nebulization and the oral administration of proprietary Chinese medicines, which help in treatment. However, regular follow-up examinations are necessary after treatment, as some patients may experience recurrent and fluctuating symptoms. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Do you have a cough from laryngitis?
Laryngitis can cause severe coughing. Laryngitis is caused by acute inflammation that affects the throat, primarily the vocal cords, leading to sudden high fevers over 38.5°C. Patients experience severe throat pain, hoarseness, irritating coughs, bark-like coughs, and in severe cases, it can lead to difficulty breathing, choking, and even death. Generally, laryngitis is more common in infants and young children and can spread through the respiratory or digestive tract. During an examination with a laryngoscope, congested and swollen bilateral vocal cords are apparent, with good mobility but incomplete closure. In terms of treatment, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is necessary for laryngitis. This can include oral or intravenous antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, which are effective. Additionally, corticosteroids are used to reduce local congestion and swelling. A light diet is recommended, and gradual improvement is usually seen within a week. (The use of medication should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
How to treat pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis is a manifestation of excess heat in the body. Therefore, we should avoid eating spicy and stimulating foods, smoking, drinking alcohol, and staying up late. You can eat some bitter foods that clear heat and relieve summer heat, such as bitter melon, mustard greens, white radish, fish mint, and isatis root, all of which have the effect of clearing heat and removing dampness. Gargling with salt water, holding it in your mouth for five to six minutes before spitting it out, can also be beneficial. If dietary treatment is ineffective, under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist, you might use some traditional Chinese medicines that clear heat, detoxify, and remove dampness from the throat. If there are general symptoms such as chills, fever, or aversion to cold, it may be necessary to also use antibiotics in the treatment. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a clinical doctor; do not self-medicate blindly.)
Symptoms of acute laryngitis in children
Pediatric acute laryngitis varies in severity and symptoms. Common symptoms include hoarseness, whole lung coughing, and inspiratory breathing difficulties, as well as other respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, there may be systemic symptoms like fever. Seizures may occur in children under six years old. If the symptoms of laryngeal obstruction in laryngitis are prominent, the affected child may show signs of listlessness or irritability, inspiratory breathing difficulties, flaring nostrils, and a positive three-concavity sign.