Dream Med School Interview this Thursday and I have Laryngitis

[pacerfan]

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I got laryngitis this Saturday (not sure how, definitely not from voice overuse though). I can still speak but it sounds very hoarse. I'm doing everything I can to get better asap (humidifier, not talking, tons of water, warm tea with honey). What should I do? I'm thinking of calling the med school and asking to reschedule if i'm not better by Tuesday? Is this too late notice?

 

[PreMedOrDead]

I'm no doctor 😆 but doesn't acute laryngitis last a max of a couple days? get some sleep.

 

[Propylene]

This happened to me the day before one of my interviews; I know the feeling haha. It looks like you're already doing a good job by drinking a lot of fluids, but also try not to speak at all. One of the best ways to fight the swelling in your vocal cords is for you to give them a break.

On the day of the interview cough drops helped a lot by keeping my throat moist, and most of my interviewers were very understanding that I had gotten sick and lost my voice.

I think four days should be plenty of time for your voice to recover so I doubt you'd need to reschedule, but I am by no means an expert!

 

[CuttingCorneas]

1. Agree with the above poster, but try to stay away from mentholated cough drops. While they help get rid of any throat pain, the numbness they cause may help you strain your voice even more without realizing it. You could be fine one day and wake up in the morning ten times worse. Find some Ricola honey lemon cough drops if you can.

2. Tea with lemon and honey is your best friend. Seriously, it works wonders.

3. Try to avoid talking, but if you must, do so with a normal-ish voice. Don't whisper--it'll only strain your vocal cords.

4. Avoid dairy and carbonated drinks like the plague.

Losing your voice is no fun. Hope you feel better, and good luck at your interview!

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Maybe the interviewer will be an ENT and he'll understand.

 

[spacetomatoes]

As a former vocal performance major, I feel your pain! Tea with honey and lemon like your life depends on it and NO TALKING WHATSOEVER. It should be totally gone by yout interview. Worst case scenario you can go to your doctor about 24 hours before your interview (double check me on the timeline) and get a cortisone injection. That will make the swelling go down right away. It's controversial in the music community because it can cause residual damage, but I've done it with no negative side effects. I really doubt you'll need it, though.

Good luck!

 

[pacerfan]

Thanks everyone, I didn't know menthol wasn't so great and i've bought some cough drops without it. I'll also definitely hit up my doc for some cortisone if my voice isn't doing so well by Wednesday. Thanks again!

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Do the best you can to rest your voice and get a lot of fluids before your interview. See your doctor if it doesn't get better in a couple of days. If all else fails, just go to the interview unless you absolutely can't be understood when you talk. Your interviewers will understand, and probably be empathetic. I don't think it's worth rescheduling to a possibly much later date.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Can't believe no one has suggested hot toddy yet. Works wonders for me.