Get answers to your specific medical questions from UM Medical Center experts.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a neurologic disorder caused by a virus ( varicella zoster ) that infects certain nerves in the head.
The varicella zoster virus causes both Ramsay Hunt syndrome and another common cause of facial weakness, Bell's palsy (in which there is no rash).
This virus is within the family of human herpes viruses, which cause fever sores on the mouth and genital herpes. The varicella zoster virus also causes shingles and chickenpox.
In those with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, the virus is believed to infect the facial nerve near the inner ear. This results in irritation and swelling.
|
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). |