What causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox clears up, the virus still lives in your nerves. Years later, it may reactivate. When it does, it can affect your facial nerves.
How is Ramsay Hunt syndrome treated?
Medications such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) or valacyclovir (Valtrex) often help combat the chickenpox virus. Corticosteroids. A short regimen of high-dose prednisone appears to boost the effect of antiviral drugs in Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2 is caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion. Patient often presents with facial nerve paralysis leading to facial droop, dry eyes, mouth and hearing loss.
How long can Ramsay Hunt last?
If there is not much damage to the nerve, you should get better completely within a few weeks. If damage is more severe, you may not fully recover, even after several months. Overall, your chances of recovery are better if the treatment is started within 3 days after the symptoms begin.
Can Ramsay Hunt syndrome be cured?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is usually effectively treated, but some people may have permanent facial muscle weakness and hearing loss. The risk of complications drops significantly with prompt and proper treatment. The longer the person has to wait for treatment, the smaller the chances of making a complete recovery.
How long does Ramsay Hunt heal?
Everyone will recover from Ramsay Hunt syndrome a little differently, but in general, it takes about three weeks to recover completely. In rare cases, some people will develop postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain caused by damaged nerve fibers that can last months or years.
Can you have Ramsay Hunt without facial paralysis?
Some people with RHS get the ear rash without the facial paralysis. Doctors sometimes refer to these cases as zoster sine herpete. People with RHS may experience other symptoms, including: Nausea and vomiting.
Does Ramsay Hunt get worse?
Patients with zoster (Ramsay Hunt) do substantially worse than patients with idiopathic Bells Palsy (Pietersen, 2002). Total recovery of facial movement occurs in about 50% of treated patients. If hearing is affected (about 1/3), complete hearing recovery occurs in about half.
Is Ramsay Hunt syndrome worse than Bell’s palsy?
Untreated, the prognosis for Ramsay Hunt syndrome is much worse than for Bell’s palsy with well over 50% suffering from permanent residual weakness and some having a permanently complete paralysis on one side of the face.
How painful is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
Most cases of Ramsay Hunt syndrome have a reddish (erythematous), painful, blistering (vesicular) rash that affects the outer portion of the ear (pinna) and often the external ear canal. In some cases, the rash, including painful blisters, may also affect the mouth, soft palate, and top portion of the throat.
Is Ramsay Hunt syndrome an autoimmune disease?
Conclusion: Recurrent facial nerve palsy and bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss could be the expression of autoimmune disturbances. The initial triggered factor could be the herpes simplex virus infection, such as a Ramsay Hunt-like syndrome.
