Why Do Some People Lose Their Voice When They're Sick?

Sometimes when you're sick, your voice disappears like magic. That's because the larynx, or voice box, gets swollen and sore, it’s like a tiny fire in there that makes it hard to speak. When you're healthy, your larynx works smoothly, but when you're ill, it feels like it’s doing jumping jacks inside your throat! This is why some people can't talk at all while others just sound hoarse.