Laryngeal oedema is not uncommon in the critically ill and is reported in up to 55% of patients following tracheal extubation. It can appear as early as 24 h, and the incidence increases with the duration of tracheal intubation. Coronaviruses are a known cause of laryngitis but the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus does not typically cause a sore throat. The team encourage colleagues to prepare for difficulties during tracheal intubation and extubation, to be vigilant and actively look for post‐extubation dysphagia and dysphonia, and to seek early advice from colleagues in head and neck surgery and in speech and language therapy.