Laryngitis is a respiratory disease that affects the larynx, vocal folds, and upper trachea. Inflammation in the airways can be provoked not only by pathogens, but also by allergens or banal overstrain of the vocal cords.
Is laryngitis contagious? We can say that most of its forms are contagious. The degree of infectiousness (contagiousness) of the disease depends on what exactly caused the inflammation of the larynx. Infectious forms of pathology arise due to the development of viruses, fungi and coccal bacteria. In this case, the probability of infection is determined by the level of pathogenicity of microorganisms. What does it mean? There are opportunistic and pathogenic viruses, fungi and microbes. So the former are normal inhabitants of the microflora of the ENT organs, therefore they are not transmitted from person to person, and the latter provoke the development of respiratory diseases.
Ways of transmission
It should be noted right away that a disease provoked by the development of pathogens is contagious. In other words, infectious forms of the disease can be contracted through contact with a sick person. There are several main routes of transmission, namely:
- aerogenic - pathogenic flora enters the respiratory tract through air;
- contact - pathogens are transmitted by using common household items (cups, plates, towels, toys);
- transplacental - infectious agents are transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy.
Viral laryngitis is the most contagious disease that is transmitted by airborne transmission through sneezing, coughing and talking with a sick person.
Few people know that inflammation of the larynx very rarely develops on its own. As a rule, the development of the disease is preceded by other infectious ENT diseases. Therefore, upon contact with an infected person, you can become infected not so much with laryngitis as with a provocative disease, which can be influenza, ARVI, herpangina, bronchitis, etc.
Allergic laryngitis
Is allergic laryngitis contagious or not? Inflammation of the vocal folds and larynx can be provoked not only by opportunistic microorganisms, but also by many irritating substances. Allergens are often:
- animal hair;
- dry air;
- dust;
- a pair of paints and varnishes;
- particles of household chemicals;
- some types of medicines.
Irritating substances provoke inflammation of the respiratory tract, as a result of which symptoms characteristic of the disease appear - spastic cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, shortness of breath, etc. This form of ENT pathology is not transmitted either by airborne droplets or by contact, therefore it does not pose a threat to others.
Allergic laryngitis is a non-communicable disease that is not spread from person to person. However, it should be borne in mind that allergic reactions reduce local immunity and if the inflammation is not stopped in time, viruses or microbes can subsequently enter the irritated mucosa.
If an infection joins allergic laryngitis, then such a disease becomes contagious. The obvious manifestations of an infection of the larynx are high fever, malaise, body aches and a wet cough.
Professional laryngitis
Occupational laryngitis is a non-infectious respiratory disease characterized by singing nodules on the vocal folds. As a rule, the disease is diagnosed in people who constantly overextend their vocal cords. These include singers, lecturers, educators, announcers, radio hosts, etc. Typical manifestations of the disease include hoarseness and "scratching" in the throat when speaking.
Severe symptoms of dysphonia, i.e. voice disorders are manifested in people of "voice" professions with many years of work experience. To restore the functioning of the vocal apparatus, it is recommended to strictly observe vocal rest until the vocal cords are fully restored. Naturally, aseptic inflammation of the larynx cannot be transmitted by an aerogenic or contact-household route, therefore it is impossible to become infected with professional laryngitis. But, as in the case of the allergic form of the disease, with untimely treatment of the larynx, pathogens can penetrate into the irritated mucosa and cause an already infectious inflammation of the respiratory tract.
Thus, non-infectious forms of the disease, in particular occupational laryngitis, are not transmitted from person to person.
Viral laryngitis
Viral laryngitis is provoked by coronaviruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, rhinoviruses, etc. In addition, the disease in 9 out of 10 cases develops against the background of influenza, tonsillitis, bronchitis and other infectious diseases. Infectious laryngitis is transmitted by airborne droplets when talking to a sick person.
It should be understood that nonspecific microorganisms are provocateurs of inflammation in the larynx. Therefore, even if infected, laryngitis does not necessarily develop. Depending on the nature of the causative agent of the infection, symptoms of rhinosinusitis, flu, sore throat, pharyngitis, etc. may appear.
Patients with unproductive coughs pose the greatest danger to those around them. At the initial stages of the development of the disease, viruses are most active, therefore, when they penetrate the ENT organs of a healthy person, they can provoke inflammation. At the stage of resolving pathological processes, as evidenced by a cough with profuse sputum discharge, patients are not contagious.
Viral laryngitis can be transmitted by airborne transmission within 3-4 days after infection of the larynx and vocal folds.
Bacterial laryngitis
Bacterial inflammation of the larynx occurs due to the development of staphylococcal, pneumococcal or streptococcal flora. Microbes can exist for a long time outside the host's body, therefore, the infection is often transmitted by contact and household contact with kissing and using common household items. The main manifestations of ENT disease include:
- heat;
- spastic cough;
- swelling of the lymph nodes;
- impurities of pus in sputum;
- white bloom on the walls of the pharynx;
- symptoms of intoxication.
Very often, bacterial inflammation of the larynx develops against the background of purulent (follicular, lacunar) tonsillitis in a descending way. If someone in the house is sick with microbial laryngitis, it is necessary to send him to "home quarantine". It is recommended to move the patient to a separate room, provide him with separate dishes and towels, and also limit contact with him for the next 5-7 days. During the week, the patient must take antimicrobial drugs prescribed by the ENT doctor.
Chronic laryngitis
Is chronic laryngitis contagious? Unlike acute inflammation of the larynx, chronic laryngitis practically does not manifest itself in any way. Cough often bothers patients only in the morning or during sleep. During prolonged remission, chronic laryngitis is not contagious. But with an exacerbation of the disease, it is better to stay away from the patient.
Common causes of chronic inflammation in the larynx include:
- lack of vitamins in the body;
- alcohol abuse and tobacco smoking;
- non-compliance with the voice mode (during treatment);
- irrational intake of medications;
- constant irritation of the larynx with harmful substances.
Chronic laryngitis is a non-contagious disease that is not transmitted either by aerogenic or by contact.
Fungal laryngitis
Fungal lesions of the laryngeal mucosa occur mainly as a result of a decrease in the body's immune defenses. Why? The respiratory tract is inhabited by the so-called opportunistic microorganisms, which include fungi of the genus Candida. In the absence of malfunctions in the immune system, they do not manifest themselves in any way. But against the background of a decrease in the reactivity of the body, they begin to multiply rapidly, as a result of which inflammatory reactions occur in the larynx.
Is fungal laryngitis spread from person to person? No, fungi of the genus Candida are normal representatives of the respiratory microflora. They are found in the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract of most healthy people. If a person does not suffer from immunodeficiencies, the fungus will in no way be able to "migrate" to him and provoke inflammatory processes.
To be sure of the degree of contagiousness of the disease, you need to undergo a hardware examination by an ENT doctor. Only after conducting a microbiological analysis, a specialist will probably be able to determine the type of infectious agent and, accordingly, unequivocally answer the question: is laryngitis contagious or not.
