What is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome that affects Justin Bieber?

Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber is suffering from a rare condition called the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome which has paralyzed one side of his face. Following are the insights into this rare disease.

What is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is a neurological disease in which a virus – Varicella Zoster – causes inflammation of the nerves involved in facial movements. When the nerves get inflamed, they lose their ability to function, leading to temporary facial palsy or paralysis. What it means is that facial muscles in the infected person cannot receive the necessary signals to function properly. As per experts, there are 12 cranial nerves in the body. Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is the viral infection impacting the 7^th cranial nerve that is involved in facial movements. The inflammation caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus makes the nerve ineffective.

What are the symptoms of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?

The symptoms include painful, red rash and blisters in and around the ear and facial paralysis on the same side. Patients also report hearing loss in the ear that has been impacted apart from Tinnitus or ringing sounds. Inability to close the eye causes dryness. According to health experts, you can get a rash on the eardrum, the ear canal, and the earlobe. Rashes can also appear inside the mouth, on the tongue. There is hearing loss, vertigo, or a spinning sensation. It causes weakness in one side of the face and causes difficulty in closing one eye and eating as food falls off from the affected side. There is drooping of the face.

What is the virus that causes Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?

The Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) is the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, this virus belongs to the herpesvirus group and can stay in the body as a latent infection. The virus can stay dormant in a person’s body and can reawaken to attack the nerves. According to doctors, VZV can get reactivated due to the weakening of the immune system. Stress is also considered a trigger.

How is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome treated?

It is treated using antiviral drugs, steroids, and physiotherapy. Steroids and antiviral drugs are the cornerstones of the treatment. According to doctors, facial exercises are very important. Patients need to protect their eyes. When one eye doesn’t close, there is a chance of developing corneal aberration. Patients must use tear drops and use eye protection. They should wear glasses when they go out, and tape the eye that has been impacted when they sleep at night.

Is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome contagious?

The disease is not contagious but can lead to chickenpox in those not vaccinated for the disease. Till the blister scabs fall off, the patients are advised to avoid contact with those with low immunity and the ones who have not had chickenpox or are not vaccinated against it.

Do patients recover fully from it?

The disease is reversible. Patients get cured within 15 days to three months of starting the treatment. According to doctors, it can be cured. Near-complete resolution happens. Even the hearing loss is reversible. A little bit of residual facial palsy may remain. There may be just a little bit of lag in the closure of the eye later on.

Why it is called James Ramsay Hunt?

American neurologist James Ramsay Hunt discovered this disease in the second decade of the last century, so it was named after his name.