“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.