Herpes Zoster Oticus

Complication of shingles

Herpes zoster oticus (formerly called "Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II") is related to a viral infection. People who have had chickenpox have been infected with the varicella-zoster virus. After the infection, the virus remains quietly present in nerve cells in the body and can be reactivated, causing shingles, where the zoster virus is active only along a particular nerve, so the disease is limited to that part of the body.

Herpes zoster oticus is a common complication of shingles. The virus reactivates in one of the nerves on either side of the face and causes the following same-sided signs and symptoms:

• facial paralysis
• ear pain
• ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• blistering rash on the ear

you may also experience:

• vertigo
• loss of taste on the front part of the tongue

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of herpes zoster oticus is based on the symptoms, especially rash, which have the same appearance as chickenpox. Research has shown that prompt treatment with antiviral medications, such as Valtrex (valacyclovir), Zovirax (acyclovir) and Famvir (famciclovir), lessens the symptoms and improves recovery. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may be used occasionally, and Valium (diazepam), Scopace (transdermal scopolamine patch) or antihistamines, such as Antivert (meclizine), are often prescribed to help reduce vertigo and tinnitus. The symptoms will resolve over time, but some hearing loss and/or facial paralysis may be permanent.

_Source:

"NINDS Herpes Zoster Oticus Information Page." Disorders. 14 Feb 2007. National Organization for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 16 Jul 2008