*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is when your voice box or vocal cords in the throat become irritated or swollen. It usually goes away by itself within 1 to 2 weeks.

Check if you have laryngitis

Laryngitis usually comes on suddenly and gets worse during the first 3 days.

The main symptoms are:

Children can also:

Laryngitis is often linked to other illnesses, such as colds and flu, so you may also have other symptoms.

If you're not sure it's laryngitis, check other sore throat symptoms.

Laryngitis usually goes away on its own after 1 to 2 weeks and you do not need to see a GP.

There are some things you can do to help ease the symptoms.

try to speak as little as possible
drink plenty of fluids
keep the air moist by putting out bowls of water - central heating and air conditioning make the air dry
gargle with warm salty water (children should not try this)

Speak to a pharmacist about your sore throat.

They can give advice and suggest treatments, including:

The GP will try to work out what has caused your laryngitis.

They may:

look inside your throat using a small mirror
wipe a cotton bud around the back of your throat for testing
arrange a blood test
refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist (if you keep getting laryngitis)

If your laryngitis is caused by an infection, the GP might prescribe antibiotics.

Laryngitis usually happens when you have an infection from a virus, such as cold or flu. A flu vaccination will help prevent you getting flu.

Other things that cause laryngitis include:

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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