Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: Which virus is Justin Bieber fighting?

JUSTIN Bieber announced via his Instagram that he is taking an indefinite hiatus from his concert tour due to a scary health diagnosis.

The star explained that he has been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, which affects his ear and facial muscles.

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What is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs in people who have previously had chickenpox.

The virus that causes chickenpox stays in a person’s body and can reactivate as they age.

According to The Mayo Clinic, this can cause two main symptoms: a painful rash in or around one ear, and facial weakness on the same side of the face as the affected ear.

Justin says he has been doing facial exercises to treat the problem and should be back to normal soon.

How rare is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is typically very rare in adults under the age of 60.

It is also not contagious unless the person with the virus is close to a person who has never had chickenpox or the vaccine.

Because of this, it is recommended that those infected stay away from babies, pregnant women, and those who are immunocompromised.

Doctors say the recovery rate for Ramsay Hunt syndrome is good when caught early.

Treatment for Ramsay Hunt syndrome typically consists of antiviral drugs and corticosteroids.

What other health issues has Justin Bieber been dealing with lately?

In 2019, Justin opened up about his struggles with mental health, specifically depression and anxiety.

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In 2020, Justin shared with fans that he had battled chronic Lyme disease and the Epstein-Barr virus.

In February 2022, Justin had to put his tour on hold when he and his wife Hailey both tested positive for Covid-19.