“Hi Doc,” she said, in a hoarse voice.

“What brings you in today?”

“Wow, you sound terrible.  Are you sick?”

“Oh, you know, ’tis the season.” I cleared my throat, turned to cough in my elbow, then returned to the patient. “So, what’s going on with you today?”

“I lost my voice a few days ago and it’s just not getting better,” she said.

After a thorough exam, I diagnose resolving laryngitis.

“It’s a viral infection and will get better over the next 5-7 days.”

“Can you give me something to speed up the process?”  she implored me.

“No, I’m afraid not,” I said, turning to cough again. “It’s a virus and will run it’s course.  Drink plenty of fluids, get some rest and you should be better in about a week.”

“Oh, okay I guess.  You probably shouldn’t be working, you sound terrible.”

Uh huh.

Thanks.

And you don’t need to see me for a cold either.