What Is Justin Bieber's Rare Disorder?

Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Bieber announced Friday that he is taking a break from performing after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

“It is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear in my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis,” the 28-year-old singer said in an Instagram video.

“As you can see, this eye is not blinking. I can’t smile on this side of my face. This nostril will not move, so there’s full paralysis on this side of my face,” he added.

The announcement comes after Bieber postponed several shows on his Justice World tour.

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What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that can be diagnosed in people who were previously infected with chickenpox.

If the dormant varicella-zoster virus is reactivated, leading to shingles, it can affect the facial nerve and cause blisters in the ears and the roof of the mouth as well as may lead to facial paralysis and hearing loss.

According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), Ramsay Hunt syndrome is rare and affects about 5 in 100,000 people in the United States. Older adults are more likely to be affected.

How is the syndrome diagnosed and treated?

The syndrome is usually diagnosed through a detailed medical history and identifying the characteristic rash and facial paralysis. This can be difficult, however, as symptoms may not appear at the same time. In some cases, the rash may be completely absent, the Mayo Clinic says.

The syndrome is diagnosed, antivirals and steroids are recommended.

How severe is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

According to the British charity Facial Palsy UK, treatment can make a significant difference to a patient’s outcome, with about 70% of those who receive antiviral medication within three days of developing symptoms making a full recovery.

If this does not happen, the chances of a complete reversal of symptoms falls to 50%.

Mild cases can resolve within a few weeks, but more severe damage to the nerve leads to a longer recovery time and lower chances of a complete return to health.