Can You Have Bronchitis And Laryngitis?

Bronchitis is the infectious disease of bronchial tubes that join the trachea and the lungs. It is usually caused by bacteria or virus. The symptoms of bronchitis are a productive cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and tightness in the chest. It is different from laryngitis. Laryngitis is the infection or inflammation of voice box characterized by the swelling of vocal cords. It is caused by overstraining of voice, certain irritants, and infections by bacteria or virus. The symptoms of laryngitis are hoarseness, changes in the voice, sore throat, dry cough, and low-grade fever.

Bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of bronchial tubes that run from the trachea to the lungs. The bronchial tubes play an important role in carrying air to lungs. They are important for the process of respiration. The main causes of bronchitis are a bacterial or viral infection, smoking, or exposure to environmental pollutants or chemicals.

The Symptoms Of Bronchitis Are As Follows–

• Difficulties in breathing
• Fatigue
• Soreness in the throat
• Congestion in the nose
• Sputum production
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in the chest
• Fever
• Reduction in the ability to work
• Exhaustion

Bronchitis can be of two types, acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is short durational bronchitis usually ending in two weeks. Chronic bronchitis is marked by a regular cough happening for more than a month for minimum three months frequently in last two years. It is a common disease in chain smokers.

Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx (voice box) characterized by the swelling of the vocal cords. In laryngitis, vocal cords get swollen and the sound waves get deviated over them, disturbing the generation of voice. It causes hoarseness, tickling, and dryness in the throat.

Laryngitis can be acute or chronic according to onset and duration of the symptoms. Acute laryngitis settles down in less than three weeks whereas chronic laryngitis remains for more than three weeks. Chronic laryngitis can last more than three weeks even for months. It is a constant inflammatory condition that results in changes in the voice and hoarseness. However, this condition can be painless with no sign of any infection. It leads to excessive strain on the vocal cords and damage to the vocal cords resulting in polyps or nodules in the larynx. This damage can be permanent

The Causes Of Laryngitis Are As Follows-

• Overstraining the voice like yelling, speaking or singing loudly
• Bacterial infection
• Viral infection
• Irritants that are inhaled for example chemical fumes, smoke or allergens
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, Acid reflux)
• Chronic sinus infections(sinusitis)
• Excess intake of alcohol
• Smoking
• Constant overuse of voice like singers, speakers, cheerleaders
• Cancer
• Excessive coughing
• Constant use of steroid medicines like asthma inhalers
• Paralysis of vocal cords due to an injury, stroke, lung tumor, etc
• Old age

The Symptoms Of Laryngitis Are As Follows-

• Weakness in the voice
• A sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Dryness in the throat
• Dry cough
• Tickling in the throat
• Loss of voice
• Low-grade fever
• Inability to drink fluids

Laryngitis if not cured properly can turn itself into the infection of bronchial tubes. The infection travels from the upper respiratory tract to lower respiratory tract leading to bronchitis. It is more serious than laryngitis. A cough is present in bronchitis whereas a dry cough is experienced in laryngitis. High fever is the common symptom of the infection of bronchial tubes whereas there is a low-grade fever in laryngitis. Sometimes both can happen at the same time. Laryngitis remains even after bronchitis is cured.

Bronchitis is the inflammation of bronchial tubes whereas laryngitis is the inflammation of the voice box (larynx). You can have both of them at the same time. Laryngitis remains for few days even after bronchitis settles down.

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Also Read:

• Throat Pain Due To Bacterial Laryngitis: Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment- Antibiotics
• Throat Pain Due To Viral Laryngitis: Types, Symptoms, Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment
• How Do You Get Laryngitis & What To Take For It?
• How Long Does Laryngitis Last & How To Get Rid Of It Quickly?