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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
The cause of Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Varicella-zoster is part of a family of viruses called herpes viruses, which includes the viruses that cause cold sores and genital herpes. Many of these viruses can lie hidden in your nervous system after the first infection and remain dormant for years before causing another infection.
If your immune system doesn't destroy all the varicella-zoster virus during the initial infection, the remaining virus may reactivate later and infect your facial nerve — producing Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Reactivation of this virus can also cause other disorders, including shingles (herpes zoster). Researchers don't clearly understand how or why the varicella-zoster virus re-emerges.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is also called herpes zoster oticus.
- Mattox, DE. Clinical disorders of the facial nerve. In: Cummings CW, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.; Mosby; 2005.
- Fort G, et al. Ramsay Hunt syndrome. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008: 498.
- Mueller NH, et al. Varicella zoster virus infection: Clinical features, molecular pathogenesis of disease, and latency. Neurologic Clinics. 2008;26:675.
- Herpes zoster oticus information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/ramsay2/ramsay2.htm. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Shingles: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/shingles/detail_shingles.htm#124173223. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Ramsay Hunt syndrome: Treatment. Ramsay.org. http://www.ramsayhunt.org/treat.shtml. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Herpes zoster oticus. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch086/ch086e.html. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 0-6 years - United States, 2008. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.aafp.org/online/etc/medialib/aafp_org/documents/clinical/immunization/childsched.Par.0001.File.tmp/08childsched.pdf. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
