Ramsay Hunt syndrome

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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

You're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor. He or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in nervous system disorders (neurologist) or to an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist).

What you can do
Before your appointment, you may want to write a list of answers to the following questions:

  • What are your symptoms? When did they start?
  • Have you had the sensation that the room is spinning (vertigo)?
  • Has your hearing been affected?
  • Have you noticed a change in your sense of taste?
  • Have you had the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine? When?
  • Have you ever had chickenpox? When?
  • Are you being treated for any chronic health conditions? If so, what treatments are you receiving?
  • Are you pregnant?

What to expect from your doctor
During the physical exam, your doctor will closely examine your face, to check for evidence of one-sided paralysis or a shingles rash on, in or around your ear.

Tests and diagnosis Complications

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
    Related Links
  • Shingles

    • Related Guides
    Children
    Parent
References
  1. Herpes zoster oticus information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/ramsay2/ramsay2.htm. Accessed Oct. 26, 2010.
  2. Davis LE. Varicella zoster virus deafness and vertigo. In: Flint PW, et al. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..00153-1--s0090&isbn=978-0-323-05283-2&sid=1074288621&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..00153-1--s0180&uniqId=224115609-5#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..00153-1--s0180. Accessed Oct. 26, 2010.
  3. Neilan RE, et al. Otalgia. Medical Clinics of North America. 2010;94:961.
  4. Fort GG. Ramsay Hunt syndrome. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1074741540&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00027-5--sc0020&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00027-5--sc0020&uniqId=224270956-3. Accessed Oct. 27, 2010.
  5. Harpaz R, et al. Prevention of herpes zoster: Recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2008;57:RR-5.
  6. Guss J, et al. Infections of the external ear: Herpes zoster oticus. In: Flint PW, et al. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..00138-5--s0110&isbn=978-0-323-05283-2&sid=1074768459&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..00138-5--s0110&uniqId=224270956-6#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..00138-5--s0110. Accessed Oct. 27, 2010.
DS00878 Jan. 8, 2011

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