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Laryngitis (cont.)

When to Seek Medical Care

When to call the doctor

  • Sometimes laryngitis may be more serious. Several symptoms should cause you to see a doctor:
  • High fever with a sore throat

  • Coughing up yellow or green phlegm

  • Coughing up blood

  • Unable to take liquids

  • A history of throat or breathing problems

  • Symptoms that last for 2-3 weeks despite resting your voice

  • Children are different than adults because they are more likely to become infected with certain microbes.

  • If a child just has a hoarse voice, with or without other symptoms of a virus such as low-grade fever (less than 100.5°F) runny nose, muscle aches, cough, or nasal congestion, then the treatment is the same as for an adult.

  • If the child has a fever, a sore throat, won't eat or drink, or has a decreased number of wet diapers (indicating less than adequate drinking), however, you should take the child to see a doctor.

When to go to the hospital
  • Some situations can be life threatening, and you must not delay seeing a doctor. Go to a hospital's emergency department or call 911 if you experience any of the following.

    • Any trouble breathing

    • Feel as if your throat is closing

    • Are unable to swallow

    • Are drooling

    • Must sit upright to breathe

  • If a child is drooling (more than normal), has a whistling noise in his or her throat when breathing, or has any trouble breathing at all, then the child needs to go to the hospital.



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