Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a complication caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It affects the facial nerves leading to numbness, facial paralysis and loss of hearing sensation on the affected side. This syndrome is characterised by affected facial nerves near the ears and is atypical of a shingles outbreak. It is a rare disease wherein only 10 out of every 100,000 may develop it every year.
Officially the condition is referred to as herpes zoster oticus and the popular terminology comes from Ramsay Hunt who discovered the illness in 1907. The condition affects both genders equally and is attributed to be the most common reason for atraumatic peripheral facial paralysis.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome develops due to the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for causing chickenpox. Once you have recovered from a chickenpox infection, the virus sometimes continues to linger in your nerves. Years or even decades later, it might somehow become reactivated and can affect your nerves. Since 90% of Chickenpox cases affect younger children, the chances of developing Ramsay Hunt syndrome are uncommon amongst children and affect older adults, especially those over 60.
If treatment is undertaken within 3-4 days of the appearance of symptoms, your chances of complete recovery are higher. However, if treatment is delayed, a part of your facial muscles, as well as your hearing faculties, might be permanently damaged.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome, also known as herpes zoster oticus, is a late complication of varicella-zoster virus infection that results in inflammation of facial nerve causing its palsy. The condition is self-limiting, but treatment is targeted at decreasing the total duration of the illness as well as providing pain relief.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Some people can confuse Ramsay Hunt syndrome with that of Bell’s Palsy because in both conditions the onset of facial paralysis is quite rapid. However, the point where both conditions differ is the onset of painful blisters near the outer ear which indicates the infection of the nerves in that region. To give you a detailed idea about the symptoms by dividing them into two groups:
Telling signs of the condition that either occurs simultaneously or one before the other:
Other signs that can develop slowly:
Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., steroids) to reduce pain and swelling of the nerves are found to be useful. There is usually a good prognosis when treatment is started within three days of the onset of symptoms. However, some patients may have permanent facial paralysis or hearing loss.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Though Ramsay Hunt syndrome isn’t contagious, a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus can result in the outbreak of chickenpox in people who have already received the shot for chickenpox or haven’t had it before. The infection can cause complications in people with weak immunity. Take special care of:
If you are not quick to respond to the symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, it can lead to the following complications, some of which are life-long:
The best way to recover from Ramsay Hunt syndrome is to act upon the symptoms properly to prevent long-term damage to your nerves. Visit a healthcare provider right away who will advise you to take anti-inflammatory and antiviral medicines as needed. If you experience pain in and around the ear region, you may be prescribed to take painkillers for relief. To protect the cornea of the eye when closing the lid becomes a challenge, you can wear an eye patch. This will prevent corneal abrasion and environmental particulate pollutants from entering the eyes. To keep the eyes moisturised, you can apply eye lubricant such as drops.
It is important to get vaccinated for chickenpox and also stay aware to reduce your risk of exposure to viral infections. Whenever you notice any symptoms resembling facial paralysis, ear pain or hearing loss after recovering from chickenpox, do not delay in seeking prompt treatment from a doctor. With patience and diligent treatment, you may win over the condition.
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
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First case of Zika Virus has been reported from Mumbai, India. Zika sounds like the name of an adorable baby girl, whose parents wanted to make sure their child had a unique name. Unfortunately, Zika is the name of a virus that can adversely affect people of all age groups. Here is a breakdown of the information on the Zika Virus.
The Zika virus is a single-stranded RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family. Zika disease can be transmitted by the bite of of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Zika disease transmission is similar to dengue, chikungunea, yellow fever and West Nile virus. Although it was discovered in the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947 and is common in Africa and Asia, it did not begin spreading widely in the Western Hemisphere until May, when an outbreak occurred in Brazil. Recently, a 79 year old person from Mumbai, India has been diagnosed with Zika disease.
(i) Zika virus spread can occur during unprotected sexual intercourse with a person infected with Zika virus.
(ii) Can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her developing baby (foetus).
Now that we have read about the spread of Zika virus disease, lets read about symptoms of zika virus infection. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not clear but is likely to be a few days. The symptoms are similar to other virus infections such as dengue, and include:
These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days.
However, there have been cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome reported in patients following suspected Zika virus infection.
Diagnostic Test For Zika Virus
There is no widely available test for Zika. Because it is closely related to dengue and yellow fever, it may cross-react with antibody tests for those viruses. To detect the virus, a blood or tissue sample from the first week in the infection must be sent to an advanced laboratory so the virus can be detected through sophisticated molecular testing.
Zika Virus Infection during pregnancy
The CDC has determined that contracting the Zika virus while pregnant can lead to microcephaly and other significant brain-related issues in fetuses. In light of the potential risk of microcephaly resulting from maternal Zika virus infection, it is recommended that both fetuses and newborns of pregnant individuals who have been infected with the Zika virus undergo assessment to detect potential congenital infection and neurological complications.
1.There is no vaccine against the Zika virus. Efforts to make one have just begun, and creating and testing a vaccine normally takes years and costs hundreds of millions of dollars.
2.The best mode of prevention of Zika virus spread is by destroying mosquito breeding grounds and reducing the risk of mosquito bites.
3.Zika disease Prevention for Pregnant Women-
Because it is practically impossible to completely prevent mosquito bites, the C.D.C. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has advised pregnant women to avoid going to regions where the virus is being transmitted and has advised women thinking of becoming pregnant to consult doctors before going.
4.Zika disease Prevention for Travellers to Zika virus affected areas- Travellers to affected countries are advised to avoid or minimize mosquito bites by staying in screened or air-conditioned rooms or sleeping under mosquito nets; wearing insect repellent at all times; and wearing long pants, long sleeves, shoes and hats. Use wire mesh on doors and windows; and empty, clean or cover containers that can hold water for mosquitoes breeding.
Though caution is advised, Indians need not panic. Zika is not life-threatening like dengue and chikungunya, and it is a self-remitting disease, so there is nothing to get anxious about.
Since the virus is not indigenous to India, being careful of the vector and taking the same precautions as you would against dengue should help keep the disease at bay.
The most important point is to avoid travelling to affected areas such as Latin American countries like Brazil, and the Caribbean, especially pregnant women and women who are planning a child.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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