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Hoarse voice

Also called hoarse voice, voice change, awaaz baithna, gala baithna, voice loss

What it meansSafe at homeDo not doSee a doctorWarning signs

What this means

Hoarseness is a change in the voice, often after a cold, voice overuse or acidity. It usually settles, but a hoarse voice that lasts for weeks should be checked.

Safe to do at home

  • Rest your voice and avoid shouting or whispering
  • Stay well hydrated with warm fluids
  • Avoid smoke and very spicy or acidic foods if they trigger it

Please do not do this alone

  • Do not strain your voice further
  • Do not smoke
  • Do not ignore hoarseness that lasts more than three weeks

Book a consultation if

  • Hoarseness lasts more than three weeks
  • It comes with a lump in the neck or difficulty swallowing
  • You use your voice heavily for work

Get help immediately if

  • Hoarseness with severe difficulty breathing
  • Coughing up blood with a long standing hoarse voice

The right doctor for this

ENT Specialist

This is the specialist who sees this symptom most often and can examine you properly. If you are not sure, a general physician is always a safe place to start and will refer you onward if you need it.

Consult a ENT SpecialistStart with a General Physician

Get care for this

Doctors and care for hoarse voice

Verified Teleprac doctors you can see online or in a clinic, lab tests with home sample collection, and genuine medicines delivered to your door.

Shop Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat CareDelivered home. Please take medicines only as your doctor advises.
See all symptoms

How to use this page. It explains what a symptom usually means, so that you can decide whether to watch it, book a consultation or get help now. It does not diagnose you, it does not know your age, your pregnancy or your other medicines, and it cannot replace being examined. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own.

Consult a doctorENT Specialist

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Emergency numbers in India

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112Any emergencyOne number for police, fire and ambulance across India108AmbulanceFree emergency ambulance in most states and union territories102Pregnancy and newbornAmbulance for mothers and babies in most states14416Mental health supportTele MANAS, free counselling every hour of the day, many languages1800 116 117Poisoning or overdoseNational Poisons Information Centre, AIIMS New Delhi1098Child in distressChildline India, free and confidential

Where to read more

Public health sources written for patients rather than for doctors, and kept up to date.

Ministry of Health and Family WelfareOfficial Indian health programmes, advisories and public guidanceWorld Health Organization health topicsGlobal fact sheets written for the public, on hundreds of topicsNHS health A to ZPlain language pages on symptoms, conditions, tests and treatmentsMedlinePlusPatient information from the United States National Library of MedicineTele MANASIndia's national mental health support service, free and available all day

Important: Everything in Teleprac patient resources is general health education. It does not give you a diagnosis and it cannot replace examination by a qualified doctor, because it does not know your age, your reports, your pregnancy or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own. Teleprac Healthcare is not liable for decisions made on the basis of this information. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital immediately.