Treatment of Acute Viral Upper Respiratory Infection with Laryngitis

First-Line Non-Pharmacological Management

The American College of Physicians recommends starting with simple measures such as honey to suppress cough in patients with acute viral upper respiratory infection, if not contraindicated, to help alleviate symptoms 1
Patients with acute viral upper respiratory infection should avoid lying flat on their back as this can make coughing ineffective, and ensure adequate hydration to help thin mucus secretions 1
Implementing pursed-lip breathing and positioning sitting upright can help relieve perception of breathlessness and increase peak ventilation in patients with acute viral upper respiratory infection 1, 2
Encouraging forward-leaning posture with arms bracing a chair can improve ventilatory capacity in patients with acute viral upper respiratory infection 1, 2

For patients with distressing cough, alternative options include short-term use of codeine linctus or codeine phosphate tablets 1
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends using paracetamol for fever and other symptoms rather than NSAIDs in patients with acute viral upper respiratory infection 1

Patients with acute viral upper respiratory infection should be monitored closely for development of shortness of breath or worsening symptoms, which may indicate progression to pneumonia or secondary bacterial infection 1
Breathlessness can cause anxiety, which can further worsen breathlessness, creating a vicious cycle in patients with acute viral upper respiratory infection 2
If symptoms persist beyond 7-10 days or worsen after initial improvement, consider secondary bacterial infection requiring antibiotic therapy, and laboratory markers such as elevated C-reactive protein and procalcitonin can help distinguish bacterial superinfection 3

Patients with acute viral upper respiratory infection should be advised to return or seek further evaluation if symptoms worsen, fever persists beyond 3-5 days, or new symptoms develop, particularly shortness of breath or chest pain 1