Ramsay Hunt syndrome not alien to Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a neurological condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, mostly affects diabetic and immunocompromised elderly, as well as those who had chickenpox earlier in life.

The Ramsay Hunt syndrome grabbed the spotlight after pop singer Justin Bieber posted a video on Instagram on Friday, announcing he has been diagnosed with it. The syndrome causes paralysis on one side of the face.

Though not very common in India, it is not completely alien to the country or to Bengaluru. According to city doctors, there are 8-10 such cases every year. Doctors say the condition is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox in children and shingles in adults — the varicella-zoster virus.

Dr Srinivasa R, lead consultant-neurology, Aster CMI Hospital, told STOI five cases per lakh are found to be suffering from the syndrome annually in India. “However, the exact incidence is not available,” he said, explaining that the neurological disease causes inflammation of the nerves involved in facial movements and can lead to temporary facial palsy or paralysis and hearing loss.

“It occurs in people who have had chickenpox. The virus continues to live in the nerves even if someone has recovered from chickenpox. Later, it may reactivate and affect your facial nerves,” he said.

Pain in ear common symptom

Dr Bhumireddy Shilpa Naidu, consultant-internal medicine, Manipal Hospital, Varthur Road, said the symptoms include pain deep within the ear. “The onset of pain usually precedes the rash by several hours and even days. Then there is the vesicular rash of the ear or mouth, same-sided facial nerve palsy, vertigo and hearing loss, headache, fever, etc.”