Do children with acute laryngitis have a fever?

Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Acute laryngitis may occur with or without fever. For children, acute laryngitis is primarily a local symptom, but because children generally do not have robust immune function, local infections can easily lead to systemic symptoms. Among systemic symptoms, acute laryngitis frequently manifests as fever, typically presenting as either mild or high fever. It is relatively rare to see extremely high fever. Therefore, it is usually recommended that if the fever exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, or if the child appears lethargic during the fever, oral administration or rectal insertion of ibuprofen suppositories or acetaminophen suppositories can be effective treatments.

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Can children with acute laryngitis eat?

Simple acute laryngitis generally allows for eating, unless there are accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms such as repeated vomiting. Additionally, if the laryngitis causes especially severe symptoms of laryngeal obstruction that prevent the swallowing of food, it is advisable to temporarily withhold feeding and wait for the condition to improve before resuming feeding. Therefore, in cases of acute laryngitis without complications, eating is necessary, but it is recommended to stick to a light diet that is easier for children to digest, making it more comfortable for them.

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Does acute laryngitis in children require hospitalization?

Acute laryngitis in children is a common illness, and most cases do not require hospitalization. They can be managed in the outpatient clinic with oral medication and nebulization. However, if laryngeal obstruction occurs, especially at the second degree or higher, hospitalization is necessary. Laryngeal obstruction is considered a pediatric emergency, which can quickly worsen, leading to difficulty breathing. Some cases may even require intubation or a tracheotomy as emergency procedures. Delayed medical attention or hospitalization could potentially be life-threatening. Therefore, depending on the severity of the child's condition, hospitalization may be required.

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Does acute laryngitis in children recur?

Acute laryngitis in children can recur, similar to tonsillitis. Some children may have inherently lower immune function in the larynx, or a relative defect, which makes them prone to inflammation in the larynx whenever there is an upper respiratory infection. Therefore, we generally inform parents that if the child has a history of laryngitis, they should be aware of this condition in the future, especially of sudden respiratory difficulty at night and hoarseness. It is important to pay attention as laryngitis tends to worsen at night, and if it occurs, we recommend seeking medical attention promptly.

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How to treat acute laryngitis in children

If acute laryngitis in children is caused by a viral infection, it generally involves symptomatic treatment. If there is a fever with a temperature exceeding 38.5 degrees Celsius, or if the child appears unwell, antipyretic treatment can be administered. For persistent coughing, appropriate cough suppressants can be used for relief. Additionally, for hoarseness and throat discomfort, nebulized inhalation can be applied as symptomatic treatment. If there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are certainly necessary to control the condition. If the acute laryngitis is caused by an injury, local symptomatic treatment can be applied to reduce the damage, followed by waiting for recovery.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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Is acute laryngitis in children contagious?

Is acute laryngitis in children contagious? It depends on the pathogen causing the infection. If the infecting pathogen is contagious, then certainly it can be transmitted. If the infecting pathogen is not infectious, then of course it will not be contagious. Contagious examples include diphtheria, influenza virus, and Coxsackie virus, which can cause transmission, so it is important to isolate as much as possible. If it is a bacterial infection, it is generally not contagious. Therefore, one cannot simply say whether acute laryngitis in children is contagious or not; it depends on what the infection source is for this particular case to determine whether it is contagious or not.