About ramsay hunt syndrome

What is ramsay hunt syndrome?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (also termed Hunt's Syndrome and herpes zoster oticus) is a herpes zoster virus infection of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. It is caused by reactivation of herpes zoster virus that has previously caused chickenpox in the patient. Ramsay Hunt syndrome results in paralysis of the facial muscles on the same side of the face as the infection. So, the virus infects the facial nerve that normally controls the muscles on one side of the face. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is typically associated with a red rash and blisters (inflamed vesicles or tiny water-filled sacks in the skin) in or around the ear and eardrum and sometimes on the roof of the mouth or tongue.

What are the symptoms for ramsay hunt syndrome?

Weakness symptom was found in the ramsay hunt syndrome condition

The two main signs of Ramsay Hunt syndrome are:

  • A painful red rash with fluid-filled blisters on, in and around one ear
  • Facial Weakness or Paralysis on the same side as the affected ear

Usually, the rash and the facial Paralysis develop at the same time. But in some cases, the rash will occur before the facial Paralysis or the Paralysis before the rash. Sometimes the rash never materializes.

If you have Ramsay Hunt syndrome, you might also experience:

  • Ear pain
  • Hearing loss
  • Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
  • Difficulty closing one eye
  • A sensation of spinning or moving (vertigo)
  • A change in taste perception or loss of taste
  • Dry mouth and eyes

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor if you experience facial Paralysis or a shingles rash on your face. Treatment beginning within three days of the start of signs and symptoms may help prevent long-term complications.

What are the causes for ramsay hunt syndrome?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs in people who've had chickenpox. Once you recover from chickenpox, that virus can lie dormant in your body for years — sometimes reactivating in later years to cause shingles, a painful rash with fluid-filled blisters.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a shingles outbreak that affects the facial nerve near one of your ears. It typically also causes varying degrees of one-sided facial paralysis and hearing loss.

What are the treatments for ramsay hunt syndrome?

Treatment consists of antiviral agents (for example, acyclovir, valacyclovir or famciclovir) for about one week, steroids (prednisone), and pain medications. Best results are reported when treatment protocols are started within three days after symptoms appear. Early treatment usually results in a better prognosis. For children, the varicella vaccine can reduce the chance of getting chickenpox from which the syndrome comes (reactivation of the virus). However, once a person gets chickenpox, the person is susceptible to reactivation of the virus and thus can develop shingles and/or Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Fortunately, there is another vaccine, Zostavax, which is helpful in preventing viral reactivation. Consequently, shingles and Ramsay Hunt syndrome can be either prevented or their symptoms reduced if the vaccine is administered. Usually, this vaccine is given to individuals that have had chickenpox as children and are now age 60 or older. The CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests the vaccine be routinely given to individuals aged 60 or older, as about 90% of the population has been exposed to chickenpox and about 20% of people that had chickenpox are likely to get shingles without the vaccine.

What are the risk factors for ramsay hunt syndrome?

Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop Ramsay Hunt syndrome. But it's more common in older adults, typically affecting people older than 60. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is rare in children.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome isn't contagious. However, reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus can cause chickenpox in people you come in contact with if they haven't previously had chickenpox or been vaccinated for chickenpox. The infection can be serious for people with immune system deficiencies.

Until the rash blisters scab over, avoid physical contact with:

  • Anyone who's never had chickenpox or vaccination for chickenpox
  • Anyone who has a weak immune system
  • Newborns
  • Pregnant women

Is there a cure/medications for ramsay hunt syndrome?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome has few lasting complications. However, if it goes untreated for too long, you may have some permanent muscle weakness in your face or lose some of your hearing. See your doctor as soon as you notice any combination of symptoms to make sure the condition gets treated quickly.

Vaccines exist for both chicken pox and shingles. Getting children vaccinated when they’re young can help prevent chicken pox outbreaks from ever happening. Getting a shingles vaccination when you’re older than 60 years can help prevent shingles outbreaks as well.

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