My voice has been gone for four days. i can hardly talk, and when i do it sounds dry and gravelly. what can i do to alleviate this?

Rest your voice: Acute laryngitis is the most common cause of hoarseness and voice loss that starts suddenly. Most cases of acute laryngitis are caused by a viral infection that leads to swelling of the vocal cords. When the vocal cords swell, they vibrate differently, leading to hoarseness. The best treatment for this condition is to stay well hydrated and to rest or reduce your voice use.