Introduction
The reason why the voice can often be rough or even stay away altogether in the case of a cold is due to an enlarged inflammation of the larynx or vocal chords. A flu-like infection is usually caused by viruses, more rarely by bacteria. The classic symptoms are neck scratching/neck pain, headache and aching limbs, fever, rhinitis and tiredness or exhaustion. If the infection of the upper respiratory tract spreads somewhat into the depths, so that inflammation of the larynx or even the bronchial tubes occurs, hoarseness often occurs as well. Due to the inflammation of the vocal chords, these can no longer vibrate freely, so that the pitch of the voice can change or the voice can fail.
What causes hoarseness or absence of voice?
In order to understand why the voice is often absent in the case of a cold, an understanding of voice development is necessary: The voice originates in the larynx, more precisely in the area of the vocal cords. The larynx, which is located at the upper end of the windpipe, has two vocal folds, the outermost edges of which form the vocal cords. Between these two vocal folds/vocal chords, the air must pass through as we breathe out or in.
Accordingly, the vocal chords are slightly apart when we breathe, so that the air can pass through the larynx at all. When we speak, however, it is different: the vocal chords come together and almost completely close the glottis or larynx passage, so that there is only a small gap. If air flows through this gap when speaking by the exhalation taking place thereby, the vocal folds are set in oscillation, so that tones develop.
Depending on the tension of the vocal cords, controlled by the larynx muscles, different pitches can be produced. If a cold leads to a co-infection of the larynx and thus to an inflammatory swelling of the laryngeal mucosa including the vocal folds, hoarseness (dysphonia) can develop. Due to the swelling, the vocal cords can no longer vibrate freely, which can lead to pitch changes, hoarseness, and also to a loss of voice.
An inflammation of the vocal cords, also known as vocal chorditis, does not usually occur on its own, but rather as part of an inflammation of the larynx (larynditis). This usually develops from a spread of a flu-like infection of the upper respiratory tract (viral cold), more rarely from heavy strain (on the voice) in dry rooms. Classically, hoarseness occurs together with a chesty cough, and sore throat can also be a possible symptom. The therapy of choice is voice protection and inhalations with table salt, chamomile, sage or cortisone-containing preparations. The intake of an antibiotic is only necessary in the case of a purulent inflammation.
