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Diseases » Herpes zoster oticus » Summary

What is Herpes zoster oticus?

Contents

What is Herpes zoster oticus?

Herpes zoster oticus: Facial and auditory effects of herpes zoster.
Herpes zoster oticus: A syndrome characterized by facial palsy in association with a herpetic eruption of the external auditory meatus. This may occasionally be associated with tinnitus, vertigo, deafness, severe otalgia, and inflammation of the pinna. The condition is caused by reactivation of a latent HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN infection which causes inflammation of the facial and vestibular nerves, and may occasionally involve additional cranial nerves. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p757)
Source - Diseases Database

Herpes zoster oticus is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Herpes zoster oticus, or a subtype of Herpes zoster oticus, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Herpes zoster oticus: Introduction

Types of Herpes zoster oticus:

Broader types of Herpes zoster oticus:

How serious is Herpes zoster oticus?

Prognosis of Herpes zoster oticus: Good. Some cases have permanent complications.
Complications of Herpes zoster oticus: see complications of Herpes zoster oticus
Prognosis of Herpes zoster oticus: Generally, the prognosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome type I is good. However, in some cases, hearing loss may be permanent. Vertigo may last for days or weeks. Facial paralysis may be temporary or permanent. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Type I Information Page: NINDS)