voice problems after a cold

[fdp]

Our 16 year old daughter is going on her 4th week of a bad cold. The cold is getting better
but her voice still has not cleared up. She is in musical theater and is preparing for a major
performance however she is unable to get a note out easily.  As she says, she can't sing at all now.
What can she do to get her throat and voice back to normal as quickly as possible? She's very
upset about this as she doesn't want to lose the role to the understudy. Thank you.

[J.M. Keyes, MD]

I understand your daughter is probably quite stressed about this.  To hasten recovery, I would suggest not talking (whispering also causes strain on the vocal cords), using a cool mist humidifier, and drink lots of fluids.  Using steam (hanging head over steam bowl a couple of times a day), and breathing through the nose instead of mouth, will also help keep the vocal cords moist.
I am hoping she doesn't smoke; if she does, this will further irritate her cords.
If she is still having problems though when it is time for her performance, she should try to take into consideration that it may be better to forego a short term performance than risk longer term damage.

I hope she recovers quickly.  Good luck to her.
JMK MD

[fdp]

Thank you (and you're right, she does not smoke)!