Care Advice
What You Should Know:
- Most hoarseness is part of a common cold.
- It means the vocal cords are irritated and swollen.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Warm Liquids:
- Age greater than 1 year. Can sip warm fluids such as chicken broth or apple juice.
- Age greater than 6 years. Can also suck on cough drops or hard candy. Butterscotch seems to help.
- Age greater than 8 years. Can also gargle. Use warm water with a little table salt added. A liquid antacid can be added instead of salt. Use Mylanta or the store brand. No prescription is needed.
Rest the Voice:
- Avoid yelling and screaming. Reason: it causes vocal cord strain.
- Have your child try to talk as little as possible. He or she can also write notes for a few days.
- Also, avoid clearing the throat. Reason: it can make hoarseness worse.
Fever:
- For fevers higher than 102° F (39° C), give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen. Note: lower fevers help fight infections.
- For all fevers: keep your child well-hydrated. Give lots of cold fluids.
Humidifier:
- If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier. Reason: dry air makes hoarseness worse.
Avoid Tobacco Smoke:
- Tobacco smoke makes hoarseness and coughing much worse.
What to Expect:
- Hoarseness from viral laryngitis lasts 1-2 weeks.
Return to School:
- Your child does not need to miss any school for a hoarse voice.
- Your child can go back to school after the fever is gone.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing occurs
- Hoarseness lasts more than 2 weeks
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.