Justin Bieber, a Canadian pop musician, is recovering from facial paralysis. His fans were more than shocked by this information. According to medical sources, he was susceptible to the infection known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This virus can impact the nerves in the face and is thought to be a cause of neurological issues.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is considered a dangerous illness by medical professionals. If it is not treated in a timely manner, it might cause paralysis in addition to affecting hearing. The virus that causes chickenpox also causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The virus can typically still be present in your veins long after you have recovered from chickenpox in some circumstances. After a few years, it might infect again. Your face’s nerves are impacted by this condition. Anyone could experience the Ramsay Hunt syndrome in such a circumstance. Here in this article, we are sharing some information about this condition.
Symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome
According to medical sources, Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause issues like facial paralysis and lifelong hearing loss. It is, therefore, crucial to recognize its signs early and seek therapy. The risk of a problem can be decreased with prompt treatment. In this condition, some people may experience ear pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, trouble closing their eyes, and dizziness. However, this illness primarily manifests as two symptoms
- Fluid-filled blisters in or near the ear.
- Weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles
What causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
According to experts, those who have had chickenpox are more likely to get Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Even after healing from chickenpox, the virus can still be found in some people’s bodies. Over a few years, it may reactivate, aggravating some symptoms with fluid-filled blisters. However, those over the age of 60 are more likely to have this illness. There haven’t been many cases of it in kids. This infection can be more severe in individuals who already struggle with immune system deterioration.
Effects of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome:
Ramsay Hunt syndrome can potentially get worse if it is not treated in a timely manner or if you already have immune system issues. It can cause hearing loss or facial paralysis in some people, but in most cases, these problems get better after a few days of treatment. However, in extreme cases, these problems can also last a lifetime. Due to facial weakness with this infection, closing the eyelids becomes challenging. A higher risk of corneal injury exists in those with this kind of issue.
Treatment and prevention
Ramsay Hunt syndrome requires early diagnosis and therapy. Doctors may provide corticosteroids, anti-anxiety drugs, and antiviral drugs depending on the condition. According to medical professionals, the chances of recovery are high if therapy is initiated within three days of the onset of symptoms.
The chickenpox vaccine is thought to work well in preventing this infection. According to one estimate, five out of every million Americans receive a Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis each year.