Like a cough, laryngitis may hang around after the acute infection is over. You can recognize this by noting that the fever and ill feeling is over, but that the hoarseness may continue for several days to a week or longer. Laryngitis is often irritative in nature. Singers, politicians, auctioneers, and cheerleaders sometimes loose their voices as a result of their activities. For most of us, cheering at a game is a common cause of this condition.
Young children get the same thing, most commonly from strenuous crying or shouting while playing.
Environmental causes such as smoking or being in an environment with second-hand tobacco smoke can also cause laryngitis. In the industrial or school environment, exposure to irritating chemicals can also lead to similar symptoms. Treatment Suck on cough drop, a throat lozenge or hard candy. Avoid places where cigarettes are smoked. A humidifier, preferably a cool mist ultrasonic humidifier, will help.