Symptoms of laryngitis can begin suddenly and usually get worse over a period of two to three days.

Common symptoms of laryngitis include:

• hoarseness
• difficulty speaking
• sore throat
• mild fever
• irritating cough
• a constant need to clear your throat

The hoarse voice and speaking difficulties usually get worse each day you’re ill and may last for up to a week after the other symptoms have gone.

In a few cases, the larynx can swell and cause breathing difficulties. This isn’t common in adults but can occur in young children who have smaller, narrower windpipes.

Laryngitis is often linked to another illness, such as a cold, flu, throat infection (pharyngitis), or tonsillitis, so you might also have other symptoms such as:

• a headache
• swollen glands
• runny nose
• pain when swallowing
• feeling tired and achy