What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

In an Instagram post, Canadian singer Justin Bieber announced that he has been infected by a virus that causes the Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

• He posted a video to share his condition with his followers and show how half of his face has been paralysed by the virus.

What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

• The Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a rare neurological disorder caused by the varicella-zoster virus of the human herpesvirus family.

• The syndrome is characterised by facial paralysis and may also present as ear abnormalities, including ringing in the ears, earache, or hearing loss.

• The disorder is also called herpes zoster oticus.

• It was first documented by neurologist James Ramsay Hunt.

• Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a late complication of the varicella-zoster virus infection and results in the inflammation of the facial nerve that controls expressions and movement of the face.

• Early-stage infection of the varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox in humans, but the virus often remains dormant in the body long after the condition has passed.

• Reactivation of the virus is usually caused due to physiological stress or immunocompromise.

• Reactivation of the virus can cause a rash or shingles along the affected nerve. Less than one percent of zoster cases involve the facial nerve and result in Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.

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