ACUTE LARYNGITIS

Course overview

LARYNGITIS REFERS TO INFLAMMATION OF THE LARYNX. THIS IS OFTEN DUE TO AN ACUTE VIRAL INFECTION, WHICH IS TYPICALLY A MILD AND SELF-LIMITING CONDITION THAT LASTS FOR A PERIOD OF 3 TO 7 DAYS. THERE ARE NON-INFECTIOUS CAUSES AND MORE SERIOUS CONDITIONS THAT CAN PRESENT WITH ACUTE LARYNGEAL SYMPTOMS, AND PRACTITIONERS MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS AND WORKUP. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF ACUTE LARYNGITIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.