Laryngitis

Laryngitis has a typical course and a very characteristic barking cough. You can listen to it below – there are two recordings to give you a better idea:

First aid for laryngitis in winter:

• Open a window, dress the child warmly, and let them breathe in the cold air.

First aid for laryngitis in summer:

• Open the freezer, remove the drawers, and let the child breathe in the cold air.

The next day after a night-time attack, you can write that your child has laryngitis, and I will reply:

"Please give 1 dexamethasone suppository at bedtime and repeat after 48 hours. You already have them prescribed – they will prepare them for you at the Vitamin Pharmacy on Zahradnícka Street or at the University Pharmacy on Ružinovská Street. For the cough, give calcium syrup 3x/day (one teaspoon), and for the throat, use Priessnitz compresses (soak a cloth diaper in cold water – wrap it around the neck, cover it with plastic kitchen wrap to insulate, and wrap a dry cloth diaper over it, also around the neck), plus yellow Trifed tid (prescribed)."

Laryngitis usually does NOT require hospitalization or a visit to the emergency room.

The severity (and rare need for emergency care) can be easily assessed even by non-professionals using the Downes Score, which you can find here:

(legend: stridor – harsh wheezing sound when breathing; inspiratory – on inhalation; expiratory – on exhalation; jugulum – the hollow just above the breastbone; cyanosis – bluish discoloration of the lips, fingertips, or face):

https://www.wikiskripta.eu/w/Akutn%C3%AD_laryngitida

For those who aren't fans of corticosteroid suppositories, Trifed, and prefer natural remedies:

• Priessnitz compresses as described above

• Homeopathy:

• Sambucus nigra 5 or 9CH + Spongia tosta 5 or 9CH – 5 pellets every 15 minutes during the attack, then gradually increase the interval

• Hepar sulfur 15CH – 5 pellets as soon as possible, then 3x/day 5 pellets

• If the attack begins around midnight and is triggered by wind exposure or sudden chill: Aconitum napellus 9CH – 5 pellets every 3 hours