How Do You Catch Ramsay Hunt Syndrome? Can Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Be Prevented?

People who have had chickenpox develop Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The virus remains in your body after you recover from chickenpox, sometimes reactivating in later years to create shingles, a painful rash with fluid-filled blisters.

It’s more common in older adults, typically affecting people older than 60. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is rare in children.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome affects the facial nerve near one of your ears. It is also capable of causing one-sided facial paralysis and hearing loss.

The patient may initially complain of facial paralysis and trouble shutting one eye. The sickness takes two to three days to fully develop. Prompt therapy following diagnosis can speed healing and lessen the likelihood of serious nerve injury.

Children are now routinely vaccinated against chickenpox, dramatically reducing the risk of infection with the chickenpox virus. A shingles vaccine is also advised for persons over the age of 50.