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Original poster

Is there a strange virus going round which causes a raspy throat and lose it voice?

44 replies

EndlessSeaViews · 13/08/2026 17:11

DH had what he thought was a bad bout of his hayfever last week with a cough and 'froggy' feeling in his throat.

I don't think it was is hayfever though because a few days later I started getting a very raspy feeling in my throat which lasted a few days and was mainly noticeable at night. It wasn't too bad for most of the week but yesterday I started losing my voice, it's so hoarse but not particularly sore it seems to be getting worse, I can barely talk today it feels such a strain to use my vocal chords. In my 53 years I don't think I've ever lost my voice.

Has anyone else come down with this? I don't have a runny nose, have not sneezed and don't feel as though I have a temperature. I am exhausted and have a headache but it is horribly hot here in the SE today and I never handle hot weather well.

Also is there anything I can do to restore my voice?

OP posts:
Original poster
EndlessSeaViews · 13/08/2026 17:12

Obviously title should say "Loss of voice"!

OP posts:
Cleosinsttropez · 13/08/2026 17:14

My husband has just finished a course of antibiotics after 4 weeks of a raspy and hoarse voice. I had to nag him to go to the doctors. He thought it was hayfever to start with, but just sounds like it was a horrible bug. He gargled with salt water but nothing helped until he took the antibiotics. Hope you feel better soon

Original poster
EndlessSeaViews · 13/08/2026 17:17

Cleosinsttropez · 13/08/2026 17:14

My husband has just finished a course of antibiotics after 4 weeks of a raspy and hoarse voice. I had to nag him to go to the doctors. He thought it was hayfever to start with, but just sounds like it was a horrible bug. He gargled with salt water but nothing helped until he took the antibiotics. Hope you feel better soon

Oh no, I hope I don't need antibiotics as I have gut issues and they always make me really unwell. I do have a GP appointment for something else next week so if I still have this then I'll have to get some I suppose.

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MissyB1 · 13/08/2026 17:20

Teenage ds has had a dry irritating cough plus raspy sounding voice for about 3 weeks now. He’s so fit and healthy and has carried on going to the gym and running, that he hasn’t bothered going to the GP, but I think he’s going to have to soon.

inkgirl · 13/08/2026 17:22

I've had a raspy voice the last few days didnt really think much of it till I saw this thread just because I've felt fine otherwise well been feeling sick and dizzy but thats been going on for weeks so dont think thats related

Cleosinsttropez · 13/08/2026 17:23

The doctor gave the antibiotics because he’d had it for so long, it’s recommended to see a doctor if your voice is hoarse for 3 weeks or longer. He was given a 5 day course and told to come back if he didn’t help, thankfully it cleared it.

I hope you won’t have it as long and won’t need them, but yes plenty of good bacteria if you go on them as they do mess up your system somewhat!

BlondeFool · 13/08/2026 17:24

I had a strange raspy voice and it was so painful. I tested for Covid as my dad is vulnerable and I was positive.

damekindness · 13/08/2026 17:43

I’ve got nasal congestion and a banging headache that just will not shift.

muddyford · 13/08/2026 17:46

I've had a dry cough for four months. Started with two weeks of regular hay fever which morphed into this. Negative chest X-ray, Negative asthma.

Original poster
EndlessSeaViews · 13/08/2026 18:36

Sorry to hear you have all had something similar. I wonder if it's a virus of some kind doing the rounds.

BlondeFool I hope it's not covid, I help care for my elderly mum who has dementia and cancer so I'd better keep away from my parents for a few days.

damekindness I feel for you, I've had a banging head all afternoon and it's making me feel like crap.

I don't think this awfully hot summer is helping with many health issues. I have found today to be unbearable.

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Hopscott · 13/08/2026 19:32

Covid plays havoc with my voice. I’d never lost it before and it’s the strangest thing. Best wishes OP.

Hopscott · 13/08/2026 19:39

@BlondeFoolthank you for testing and hope you feel yourself again soon. It’s a fallacy that covid only impacts the vulnerable though, so if you’re able to avoid passing it on, please do - vast numbers of (previously) healthy people have their lives destroyed by covid.

enjoyinglifenowretired · 13/08/2026 21:37

I had cough and completely lost my voice. Still raspy 10 days later. Positive covid test .

Original poster
EndlessSeaViews · 13/08/2026 23:14

enjoyinglifenowretired · 13/08/2026 21:37

I had cough and completely lost my voice. Still raspy 10 days later. Positive covid test .

Did you feel unwell with this new strain of covid or was it just the cough and raspy throat?

Whatever it is started on Saturday afternoon, I started to feel ok Tuesday so thought it had gone but I feel a bit off today, can't quite say exactly what it is other than I am super tired and have this easily throat as thought I've been shouting lots and have virtually lost my voice but no temperature, no sneezing etc and I thought it may be the heatwave but several have now mentioned covid so I'm wondering if it could be. Just hope I don't get an upset tummy with it like I did with covid last year and I'd better keep away from my elderly parents.

OP posts:
WhatMe123 · 13/08/2026 23:23

Yes I had this about 3 weeks ago. I had a slight sore throat and felt a bit ill then the next day I’d totally lost my voice. Was bad for 2 days and it’s still a bit raspy now if I talk for a long time

bitontheobtuse · 13/08/2026 23:40

Adult DD and I have both had it, we probably caught it when we went out for the day together a couple of weeks ago. Thanks Ikea Milton Keynes! We both started with feeling a bit queasy for a day, then that went away and the day after the horrible sore throat and catarrh started up. Generally feeling headachey and rotten as well. She's ok now, but I have it still lingering on and making me cough at night.

EveryoneUsingOutro · 14/08/2026 01:31

enjoyinglifenowretired · 13/08/2026 21:37

I had cough and completely lost my voice. Still raspy 10 days later. Positive covid test .

DH same, also positive. I asked him to test because of seeing elderly poorly relative.

He was really surprised as it felt so different to his previous time with Covid, but I guess that little bastard virus is still mutating away.

mcrlover · 14/08/2026 04:19

I havent taken a covid test but wonder if I have the same. Have had a dry tickly throat for 3 days with a dry cough. Very weird, haven't had an illness like this as long as I can remember. First day throat was sore too, but now just annoying feeling. Also worse in the evening. No other symptoms. Maybe this new strain of covid is very mild?

Original poster
EndlessSeaViews · 14/08/2026 10:16

EveryoneUsingOutro · 14/08/2026 01:31

DH same, also positive. I asked him to test because of seeing elderly poorly relative.

He was really surprised as it felt so different to his previous time with Covid, but I guess that little bastard virus is still mutating away.

Show quote history

Whatever it is I most probably got from DH, he had a weird raspy throat this time last week and was constantly trying to clear his throat, he felt as though something was stuck in his chest/in his throat. I mentioned to him that it could be covid but he says it can't be because the last time he had it he felt dreadful but maybe it is a much milder form?

Scientists always said it will get less intense as the years go on.

OP posts:
Original poster
EndlessSeaViews · 14/08/2026 10:17

mcrlover · 14/08/2026 04:19

I havent taken a covid test but wonder if I have the same. Have had a dry tickly throat for 3 days with a dry cough. Very weird, haven't had an illness like this as long as I can remember. First day throat was sore too, but now just annoying feeling. Also worse in the evening. No other symptoms. Maybe this new strain of covid is very mild?

That is very similar to what I am dealing with. I'm 53 and I can't recall ever losing my voice, ever. It's a strange sensation trying to talk and not recognising the sound coming out as your own.

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enjoyinglifenowretired · 14/08/2026 21:09

Must admit that I felt rotten, still feeling very tired. DD also tested positive and had to take time off work ( WFH). Both of us immunocompromised. I had covid jab in June and it still got me!

Alwayschillyatnight · 14/08/2026 21:14

Week four of a flu like virus that started with losing my voice and a horrific sore throat then temperature, aches, headache snotty nose and cough. The cough and horrendous fatigue just would not go away.
I suspect covid.

Brinny · 15/08/2026 00:02

Had sore throat for two days then dry cough , this resulted in a chest infection which then turned into plurisy three weeks of antibiotics and steriods, only just feeling ok .

Original poster
EndlessSeaViews · 15/08/2026 08:21

I did a covid test yesterday but it was negative so no idea what the heck this is? Third day of losing my voice, throat is just so dry and I have a tickly cough.

I feel as though this wretched heatwave as dried my up from the inside out.

Sorry for those struggling with covid and whatever this virus is.

OP posts:
Original poster
EndlessSeaViews · 15/08/2026 08:22

Brinny · 15/08/2026 00:02

Had sore throat for two days then dry cough , this resulted in a chest infection which then turned into plurisy three weeks of antibiotics and steriods, only just feeling ok .

Goodness, you poor thing.

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