Herpes virus can cause facial paralysis: Justin Bieber suffers from Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Created: 06/13/2022Updated: 06/13/2022, 16:11

By: Natalie Hull Drawbar

Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber is struggling with facial paralysis caused by a herpes virus infection like shingles.

Cologne – Justin Bieber recently reported to his fans on his Instagram profile: "As you can see, I can't blink with this eye and smile on this side of my face, nor does this nostril move".

The award-winning singer appears to be suffering from facial paralysis, a paralysis of the facial nerves.

A condition called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, caused by herpes viruses such as shingles.

Herpes virus can lead to facial paralysis: singer Justin Bieber suffers from Ramsay Hunt syndrome

As Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) talked to neurologist and medical journalist Dr.

Magnus Heier reported that it was a viral infection, "a type of herpes infection.

This is essentially the same as the more well-known shingles.

And it's an infection that affects the facial nerve and possibly the auditory nerve." This also explains Justin Bieber's statement in his moving video to his fans on Instagram: "This side of my face is completely paralyzed.

It's pretty serious, as you can see."

In many cases, Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a consequence of a herpes zoster infection, the so-called zoster oticus.

As a complication of the viral disease, an infection of the ear canal can occur.

Symptoms are severe nerve pain (neuralgia) coupled with facial paralysis (facial paralysis), disturbances in the sense of balance (vestibular nerve) and sometimes hearing loss (cochlear nerve).

Complications of a herpes zoster infection or shingles: Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Who Can Get Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?

"It can happen to anyone who has had chickenpox, and almost everyone has had it," says Dr.

Magnus Heier to the WDR.

Anyone who had chickenpox (varicella) as a child or adolescent can later develop shingles (herpes zoster) and the characteristic, extremely painful rash.

Shingles and the associated Ramsay Hunt syndrome are the result of a reactivation of the chickenpox virus.

"They are in the body and 'hibernate' there for many years or decades," says Dr.

Heier further explained to West German Broadcasting.

Justin Bieber, here at the 64th Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on April 3, 2022, announced on his Instagram account that he had to temporarily cancel his upcoming concerts due to his illness Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.

© JIM RUYMEN/Imago

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If the body and the immune system are severely weakened due to infections or stress, the varicella zoster virus can be activated again.

It is known that Justin Bieber had to cancel concerts due to a proven corona infection.

When reinfected, the viruses migrate to the nerve endings of those affected and can often cause severe inflammation there.

The herpes zoster virus not only triggers the well-known “shingles”, but can also affect other areas of the body, such as the facial and auditory nerves with symptoms of paralysis in the form of the so-called Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

If treatment is given too late, permanent hearing impairment or even deafness can result.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.