Justin Bieber’s face paralysis — what is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

nypost.com:

shared via social media on Friday that he’d been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a rare condition caused by a virus that “attacks” the nerves in his face, he explained.The right side of his face was immovable as he spoke, slowly, and blinked only from the left. “This is pretty serious, as you can see,” he told fans in the video announcement, adding that the issue “has caused my face to have paralysis.” The “Honest” singer added that his treatment for Ramsay Hunt Syndrome has included facial exercises, to help rebuild the nerves and muscles in his face.His message comes following fan speculation over recent tour cancellations. “I’m physically, obviously, not capable of doing them,” he said of postponed shows.Here’s more about the virus that told Bieber that he’s “got to slow down.”Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (RHS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by facial palsy, or paralysis, often accompanied by a rash affecting the ear or mouth.

According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), an estimated five out of every 100,000 people in the US will develop RHS annually.

The syndrome, first described in 1907 by Dr. James Ramsay Hunt, is caused by an infection of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) — the same one that causes chickenpox and shingles, which means anyone who has suffered either of those illnesses could also come down with RHS.Most RHS cases result in some degree of facial palsy, as well as a blistering, often painful rash that affects the outer area of the ear and canal — though both symptoms do not necessarily present in all cases, nor in tandem.

In some, only facial paralysis occurs — requiring a blood test to confirm VZV presence. In others, the visible inflammation may also spread to the.