Summarize the following:
Having a voice that is hoarse (scratchy) or weak is the first sign that you have laryngitis. Your voice becomes rough, hoarse or gravelly-sounding, or sometimes too soft or quiet. In acute laryngitis there is a swelling of vocal cords that impairs the normal vibration. Ask yourself:  Do you notice any scratching or vocal fry when you speak? Does your voice sound more gravelly than usual? Does your voice give out or soften when you don't want it to? Has your voice changed pitch? Is it higher or lower than usual?  Is it hard to raise your voice above a whisper? Be aware that a change in your voice may also occur after a stroke, when the vocal cords are paralyzed. You may find that you're unable to speak at all. However, there will be other symptoms such as deviation of angle of mouth, weakness of limbs, drooling, and difficulty in swallowing, etc. Irritation of the vocal cords will provoke the desire to cough. However, a cough caused by laryngitis will be dry instead of wet. This is because a laryngitis cough is restricted to the upper airway but not the lower airway where sputum is produced. If your cough is wet and produces sputum, you most likely do not have a case of laryngitis. You might have a cold or other virus. However, these viruses have the potential to turn into laryngitis after a while. Laryngitis can also cause painful or uncomfortable symptoms in the throat. You may feel a fullness or rawness in your throat because of the swelling of the walls of the nasopharynx (the junction between your airway and the food passage) or throat. Ask yourself:  Does my throat hurt when I swallow or eat? Do I feel the urge to clear my throat constantly? Does my throat feel tickly or scratchy? Does my throat feel dry or raw? Some cases of laryngitis are caused by an infection. In this case, you might also experience a low or moderate-grade fever. Take your temperature to see if you are running a fever. If so, then you might be experiencing a viral laryngitis. Your fever will likely resolve itself in a few days, though your throat symptoms will likely last longer than that If the fever persists or gets worse you should seek medical attention promptly because it may be a sign of pneumonia. You should also contact a doctor immediately if your temperature hits 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Laryngitis symptoms often last for several days or weeks after you have recovered from a cold, flu, or other virus. If you have current throat symptoms and also had viral symptoms within the last two weeks, that is a signal that you have laryngitis. Such symptoms include:  A runny nose Headache Fever Fatigue Body aches and pains Breathing difficulty can occur during laryngitis, especially in young children. If you or your child is short of breath, cannot breathe normally while lying down, or makes a high-pitched sound while breathing in (stridor), this is a sign of laryngitis. This is also an emergency situation that will require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor immediately. Chronic laryngitis can sometimes be accompanied by the development of lumps, polyps, or nodules in or near your vocal cords. If you feel as if there is a lump blocking your throat, that is a sign that you have laryngitis and should see a doctor right away. In many cases, this feeling of having a lump in your throat is due to chronic laryngitis caused by acid reflux disease. The sensation may provoke a desire to clear the throat. If you do have this urge, try to resist it: clearing your throat aggravates the condition. The more severe cases of laryngitis can cause a difficulty in swallowing. Other, more serious medical conditions associated with laryngitis might also lead to difficulty swallowing. For example, if there is a large tumor or lump inside the larynx, it may compress the food tube (esophagus) and lead to difficulty in swallowing. This is  a symptom that requires immediate medical attention. In laryngitis due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, there will be chronic irritation of the esophagus by stomach acid. Consequently, there may be ulcers in the esophagus that lead to swallowing difficulty. Many people experience hoarseness every now and again. However, if the laryngitis is a chronic condition, it will last for more than two weeks. Take note of how long you are feeling hoarse on a calendar. Share with your doctor how long your symptoms persist. This will allow your doctor to determine whether your laryngitis is acute or chronic.  Voice hoarseness is characterized by a low, raspy voice which tires easily. There are other causes of chronic hoarseness besides laryngitis. A tumor in the chest or neck may compress the nerves leading to hoarseness. Other symptoms of a tumor include long term cough, bloody sputum, weight loss, appetite loss, swelling of the face and arms, etc. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms alongside your laryngitis.
Pay attention to the quality of your voice. Take note of a dry cough. Notice a throat that is dry, sore, or full-feeling. Take your temperature. Consider whether you have recently experienced cold or flu symptoms. Notice any breathing difficulty. Feel your throat for lumps. Consider how well you are swallowing. Mark how long you are feeling hoarse on a calendar.