Dr. Forton sees a form of this syndrome “regularly in practice, but also not weekly”. Pure facial paralysis, apart from that syndrome, is much more common, both partial and complete paralysis. Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, by the way, occurs at all ages, and anyone can get it, but “the older, the higher the chance,” according to the nose-throat-ear specialist.
In any case, the disease should be treated with antiviral drugs as soon as possible, and patients should rest a lot. “A good percentage of people recover completely from this, although recovery takes at least a few weeks, and for many even months,” said Dr. Forton. “Only the blisters, in the mouth and ear canal: they heal quickly, after a few days. They dry out like the average cold sore.”
“It also happens that the virus improves greatly, and when tired, rears its head again, but to a lesser extent. It is certainly not inconceivable that Justin Bieber will notice in the future that his one eye no longer opens and closes smoothly when he tired, or that his face is no longer fully smiling at that moment.”
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