Justin Bieber announced on Friday that he has been diagnosed with Ramsey Hunt syndrome, a type of facial paralysis caused by the varicella zoster virus.
In a video posted on Instagram, the 28-year-old Canadian pop star can be seen struggling to move the right side of his face as he explained the extent of his symptoms.
“It’s pretty serious, as you can see. I wish that was not the case, “he said, explaining why he was forced to cancel two recent concerts in Toronto.
So what is Ramsey Hunt syndrome?
The varicella zoster virus, which also causes shingles and chickenpox, usually infects the facial nerve near the inner ear, causing weakness, inflammation and sometimes pain in the surrounding areas.
According to a report published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), Ramsey Hunt syndrome type 2 has an annual incidence of 3.2 to 4.2 cases per 1,000 people.
Speaking to CTV News Channel on Friday, emergency physician Dr Kashif Pirzada said it was “very unusual” for someone of Bieber’s age to be diagnosed with the virus.
“It usually affects people with compromised immune systems and people who are older,” Pirzada said. “It can be quite disabling, it can change your voice. It can cause dizziness, vertigo, balance problems and hearing problems.”
Justin Bieber has announced that he has been diagnosed with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome. (Instagram / Justin Bieber)
Effective treatment of the virus is time-sensitive, according to CMAJ. If treatment is started within three days of diagnosis, paresis or partial paralysis is eliminated by 75%. If treatment is started four to seven days after diagnosis or more than eight days, paresis is resolved by 48 and 30 percent, respectively.
Ramsey Hunt syndrome is most often treated with antiviral drugs, and complete recovery can occur within a few weeks.
In more severe cases, some people never manage to regain full control of the affected part of their face. However, most people are recovering completely, Pirzada said.
On Bieber’s side, he is confident that his face will return to “normal” and said he is currently doing facial exercises and resting.
Former Canadian politician Olivia Chow was also diagnosed with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome in 2013, leaving her with limited movement on one side of her face.
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