Laryngitis Evaluation & Treatment In Westmont, IL

Common causes

• Viral infections, such as a cold, which are the most common cause
• Overusing your voice by shouting, singing or talking for long periods
• Acid reflux (GERD) irritating the throat
• Smoking or breathing in irritants
• Allergies or, less often, a bacterial infection

Symptoms

• Hoarseness or a raspy voice
• Weak voice or loss of voice
• Tickling, rawness or soreness in the throat
• Dry cough
• Fever or swollen glands in the neck, when an infection is the cause

The provider will ask how long your voice has been affected, how much you use your voice, and whether you have cold symptoms, heartburn or allergies. They will examine your throat, ears, neck and lungs.

If an infection seems likely, the provider may use rapid strep or flu testing to help guide care. MedlinePlus notes that antibiotics do not help viral laryngitis, so your provider will only suggest them when a bacterial infection is found.

Care that helps most people

• Rest your voice as much as you can
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Use a humidifier or breathe in steam
• Avoid smoking and smoky rooms
• Use pain relievers as directed for throat soreness

The NIDCD advises seeing a doctor for hoarseness that lasts more than three weeks, especially without a cold or flu. If yours does not improve, we can refer you to your primary care provider or an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for trouble breathing, noisy breathing (stridor), drooling or trouble swallowing, especially in a child. In children, these can be signs of croup or epiglottitis, which can block the airway.

Get prompt care for coughing up blood, a lump in the neck, or hoarseness in a baby under 3 months. Call 911 for chest pain, stroke signs such as sudden trouble speaking, or severe bleeding.

Other throat and respiratory care at our clinic:

• Strep throat treatment
• Flu testing
• Sinusitis treatment
• COVID-19 testing
• Telehealth visits

Patients with sore throats and voice problems visit us from nearby towns, including:

• Downers Grove, IL: about 1.8 miles west of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line)
• Willowbrook, IL: about 2.7 miles southeast of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line)
• Darien, IL: about 3.1 miles south of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line)
• Burr Ridge, IL: about 4.4 miles southeast of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line)
• Lisle, IL: about 5.1 miles west of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line)

Live closer to home? See our urgent care page for Westmont, IL.

Walk-ins are welcome at both of our locations: the main clinic at 29 N Cass Ave, Ste A, Westmont, IL 60559, and our second location inside Jewel-Osco at 4 E Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559. Both are open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Call (630) 324-6825, or check in online before you arrive.

We accept most major plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO), BCBS Advocate Good Samaritan (HMO), Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Meridian and CountyCare. Coverage varies, so please call to confirm your plan. Read more on our cost and insurance page.

No insurance? Self-pay patients get flat, upfront pricing, with a general visit from $125. Ask about the price of any tests before they are done. See self-pay urgent care pricing.

How long does laryngitis last?

Laryngitis from a virus usually gets better on its own. MedlinePlus advises contacting a provider if hoarseness lasts more than one to two weeks, depending on age.

Should I whisper when I have laryngitis?

Resting your voice is the main treatment. Try to talk as little as possible and let your voice box heal.

Do I need antibiotics for laryngitis?

Usually not. Most laryngitis is caused by a virus, and antibiotics do not work on viruses. Your provider will check for signs of a bacterial infection.

When is hoarseness serious?

Hoarseness that lasts more than three weeks, or that comes with coughing up blood, trouble swallowing, a neck lump or trouble breathing, should be checked by a doctor.