Laryngitis, do i need to see the doctor because he won't see me and how long will it last

[twinsetandpearls]

I have had a sore throat and been feeling very run down for about a week now. Monday I had a sore throat and voice was a bit whispy but I went to work ( teacher) and Tuesday it felt sore when I was talking and then Wednesday I could not talk above a loud whisper and it felt as if someone was cutting the inside of my throat when ever I spoke. Classroom management was a nightmare as the children just could not hear me.Yesterday I could only whisper so I stayed at home, i phoned the doctor and they said they could only give out emergency apppointments but the nurse would phone me. She said it was proabbaly a viral infection and I just needed lots of warm drinks, paracetamol and to rest my voice.

Today it is much worse so again I have stayed home but I feel a fraud as I am not ill enough to see a doctor apparantly but not well enough to work.

Do I need any antibiotics? Is there anything that will bring my voice back quicker? How long will my voice be gone for? When can I go back to work?

I had this a couple of weeks ago. Also teacher (law school tutor) and apparently it's very common in teachers as a normal cold can develop into laryngitis if u overstrain your voice. It came on after a full day's teaching, by the end of the day the voice had totally gone. I had literally no voice for about 3 days (and could not go to work), then very croaky for about another 5 days. As it's a viral infection (like a cold) there's no treatment, I spoke to the pharmacist and he said gargling with TCP or salt water would help the sore throat but not do anything to bring the voice back. Luckily as it's been Easter break I've been able to have a rest from teaching. I wouldn't advise you to try and teach before your voice is much better, otherwise it'll just go again within a couple of hours of teaching. It's so frustrating isn't it, hope you get better soon!

Hi Twinny, how are you apart from voice?

I was fine but am feeling a bit crap at the moment which I suspect is the virus. Very very tired, constantly falling asleep and lacking in any motivation.

Jacksmybaby although it may be a virus I think it is linked to the fact that I yelled at a class and my voice cracked as I did and the voice has been weak since then.