Conditions
Laryngitis: why you lost your voice and how to get it back
Laryngitis is swelling of the larynx, where the vocal cords sit, and it causes hoarseness or a lost voice. A virus such as a cold usually causes it, and it gets better on its own with voice rest, so antibiotics rarely help. If your hoarseness lasts longer than expected, the doctor sees you by video in Puerto Rico.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- A high-pitched sound when breathing (stridor) or difficulty breathing
- Unable to swallow, or heavy drooling
- A baby under 3 months who is hoarse
- Hoarseness for more than 3 weeks, especially if you smoke: see a specialist
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At a glance
Laryngitis
Common symptoms
- Hoarse or weak voice
- Loss of voice
- Scratchy throat or a need to clear it
- Fever, when an infection is the cause
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Other names
- Lost voice · Hoarseness
- Treatment
- Voice rest, a humidifier and fluids; antibiotics rarely
On this page(9)
What is laryngitis?
The larynx is the "voice box" at the top of the windpipe. When it gets inflamed, the vocal cords swell and your voice sounds hoarse, weak or disappears.
According to MedlinePlus, the most common form is a viral infection, often along with a common cold. Other causes include allergies, stomach acid coming up (acid reflux), shouting or talking a lot, chemical irritants and, less often, a bacterial infection.
How we treat laryngitis by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, a Puerto Rico–licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience, in English or Spanish. She asks how long you’ve been hoarse, whether you had a cold, use your voice a lot, smoke or have heartburn, and whether it’s hard to swallow or breathe. On camera she hears your voice and looks at your throat.
She then tells you how to care for your voice and what may help. If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy; for example, when reflux or an allergy is the cause. If the hoarseness doesn’t go away, we refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) to examine your vocal cords in person.
This is virtual urgent care for non-emergencies. We see adults and children of all ages; you need to be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit. If you need a doctor’s note because your job depends on your voice, it is included after your visit.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text.
Request your visit.
Book a visit and choose "Doctor visit". You pay by card when you request it.
See the doctor by video.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer. If you can barely speak, it can help to have someone with you.
Get your plan.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. If needed, we refer you to a specialist.
What a laryngitis visit costs
Laryngitis is handled in a US$79 doctor visit, the same price for every age, with no membership. You pay by card when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the visit can’t take place. We do not bill insurance. See all prices.
Laryngitis symptoms
The most common symptoms are:
- Hoarse or weak voice
- Loss of voice
- Scratchy throat or a need to clear it
- Fever, when an infection is the cause
- Swollen glands in the neck
Laryngitis treatment: rest your voice
Because a virus usually causes it, antibiotics likely won’t help. The doctor considers them only if she finds a bacterial infection. Read more in antibiotics: when they help.
What helps most, according to MedlinePlus:
- Rest your voice: talk little and don’t shout.
- Use a humidifier to soothe your throat.
- Drink fluids.
- An over-the-counter pain reliever, as the label directs, can ease discomfort.
- If you smoke, this is a good time to stop; avoid other people’s smoke too.
Hoarseness that won’t go away: when to see a specialist
The National Institutes of Health (NIDCD) advises seeing a doctor if you have been hoarse for more than 3 weeks, especially if you haven’t had a cold or the flu. MedlinePlus advises getting checked if hoarseness lasts more than 2 weeks in an adult or more than 1 week in a child, and says people who smoke should see an ear, nose and throat specialist if it lasts more than a month.
The specialist examines your vocal cords in person with a small camera (endoscope) to find the cause, such as nodules, polyps or reflux. The doctor refers you and helps with the rest of your plan.
Laryngitis in children, and when to go to the ER
In children, according to MedlinePlus, get medical care if a small child has trouble breathing or swallowing or is drooling (and is not teething), or if a baby under 3 months is hoarse. Patients under 21 need a parent or legal guardian on camera with ID.
For your safety, call 911 or go to the ER for a high-pitched sound when breathing (stridor), difficulty breathing, or being unable to swallow even your own saliva.
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
How long does laryngitis last?
Can acid reflux cause hoarseness?
Do I need an antibiotic for laryngitis?
When is losing my voice serious?
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-02 · Updated: 2026-10-02
Sources (2)
- Laryngitis (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Hoarseness (NIDCD, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)