Air pollution, or spending an evening in a smoky room can also irritate the larynx (voice box) and cause laryngitis. Infections, too, can inflame the larynx. When your larynx is irritated or inflamed, your voice becomes hoarse, husky, and weak. Sometimes laryngitis is painless, but you may get a sore throat, fever or dry cough, a tickling sensation in the back of the throat, or have trouble swallowing. Smoking, drinking alcohol, breathing cold air, and continuing to use already-distressed vocal cords can make the situation worse.

• Don't talk if you don't need to. Use a note pad and pencil to write notes instead. If you must speak, do so softly, but don't whisper.
• Use a cool mist humidifier in your home, especially in your bedroom.
• Drink lots of warm drinks. Tea with honey is good.
• Gargle with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of water).
• Take a hot shower or steam bath.
• Don't smoke. Stay away from places with smoky air.
• Suck on cough drops, throat lozenges or hard candy. (Do not give to children under age 5).
• Take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium. [Note: Do not give aspirin or any medication containing salicylates to anyone 19 years of age or younger, unless directed by a physician, due to its association with Reye's Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.]

Is it hard for you to breathe or swallow or are you coughing up blood?
Do you have a high fever or are you coughing up blood or yellow-green sputum?
Do you have hard, swollen lymph glands in your neck or do you feel like you have a "lump in your throat"?
Has the hoarseness lasted more than a week in a child or more than a month in an adult?
Do you have two or more of these problems? Bothered by the cold more than usual Dry hair or skin Gaining weight for no reason Feeling very tired for no reason