Justin Bieber suffers from Ramsay Hunt syndrome. What kind of illness is that?

Justin Bieber admitted that he was infected with the virus and had shingles. The singer canceled the upcoming concerts. Part of his face is paralyzed. This is the result of a complication of herpes zoster known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

  1. Shingles is a disease caused by the virus that also causes chickenpox
  2. One of the complications of ear herpes zoster is Ramsay Hunt syndrome. It manifests itself, among others palsy of the facial muscles
  3. The patient also has problems with hearing and speaking, he is unable to whistle or grin his teeth in a smile
  4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

Shingles – what is this disease?

Shingles is a disease caused by the VZV virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. Shingles occurs in people who have had chickenpox in the past. Where is it coming from? After chickenpox has healed, the virus is still in the bodybut in the form of dormant nerve cells. As soon as our immunity declines, the virus reactivates and causes shingles with symptoms such as rashes and blisters.

Shingles is most common in adults and the elderly. Each time you should go to a specialist who will implement the appropriate treatment. From People with herpes zoster contract the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Ear shingles

With herpes zoster, the rash appears on the skin of the auricle, in the external auditory canal and on the eardrum, accompanied by severe ear pain, tinnitus, and hearing impairment due to the presence of the vestibulocochlear nerve (responsible for hearing and balance).

The herpes zoster virus can also attack the nearby facial nerve, disturbing both its sensory functions responsible for the taste and motor sensations, causing paresis and paralysis of the facial muscles. Ear shingles is one of the most common causes of facial paralysis.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a rare (5 out of 100 cases) complication of herpes zoster, which is caused by the reactivation of a latent VZV infection in the facial nerve knee ganglion (VII nerve). The VIII nerve (vestibulocochlear) may also be paralyzed or paralyzed. Facial rash and paralysis are often asymmetrical, sometimes a symptom may appear earlier.

Foci of erythematous follicles appear not only on the auricle, but also on the palate or part of the tongue.

The symptoms of herpes zoster are further:

  1. drooping corner of the mouth,
  2. smoothing the nasolabial fold,
  3. inability to close the eye and frown,
  4. difficulty speaking
  5. taste disturbance
  6. enlargement of the lymph nodes,
  7. fever,
  8. headache and dizziness
  9. walking disorders.

A person with Ramsay Hunt syndrome is unable to whistle or grin their teeth.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome – treatment

In the treatment of herpes zoster, as well as Ramsay Hunt syndrome, general treatment is used: analgesic, antiviral (acyclovir, famciclovir, valaciclovir) and topical (warm compresses, antiviral and antibacterial ointments).

You can also use glucocorticosteroids, which have anti-swelling and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants.

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