Do you know the cause and duration of treatment for Hunt's syndrome?

 

If half of your face suddenly becomes immobile, dizziness or ear pain occurs, it may be Hunt's syndrome. Hunt's syndrome is difficult to distinguish from other symptoms such as brain disease, and if treatment is delayed, there are cases where people struggle with returning to society due to aftereffects. This time, I'll explain the symptoms and characteristics of Hunt's syndrome, how to treat it, and how to distinguish it from other facial paralysis. Let's not leave any sequelae with quick treatment even for a day.

What is Hunt Syndrome?

Hunt's syndrome is officially called 'Ramjet Hunt's syndrome' and is a disease that suddenly occurs in addition to facial nerve paralysis, ear pain, blisters, hearing loss, and dizziness. It is known that about 5 people out of 100,000 will develop it, and the incidence is high in facial nerve palsy. Hunt syndrome occurs when the varicella zoster herpes virus (varicella-contrast herpes virus) does something bad to the facial nerve.

You said the cause was a virus infection, but is it contagious?

Fundamentally, Hunt's syndrome rarely infects humans because it is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster herpes virus hidden in the body when you were infected with chickenpox as a child. However, there is a possibility of causing a viral infection by touching the rash on the affected area.

In general, the virus quietly enters the ganglion of the facial nerve by the action of the immune function. However, when the immune function is lowered due to fatigue and stress, the virus cannot be suppressed and various symptoms such as facial paralysis occur.

Please tell me more about your symptoms

The main symptom of Hunt's syndrome is impaired expression muscle movement caused by facial nerve palsy. You will not be able to close one eye or mouth properly, and you will not be able to wrinkle your forehead. In Hunt's syndrome, various symptoms appear because the function of not only the facial nerve but also the surrounding cranial nerves is impaired. Ear shingles, which causes blisters or strong pain around the ears, and hearing loss and dizziness are also characteristic.

There are many ways in which these symptoms appear, and they may appear gradually over a period of a few days to a week or two, but only half of all symptoms appear. Facial paralysis, which is difficult to heal, often leaves sequelae.

Which department should I go to?

This is an ENT. If ear symptoms such as ear pain or blisters in the ear lobe appear quickly, you can receive appropriate treatment from an otolaryngologist at an early stage, reducing symptoms. However, if dizziness or facial nerve palsy develops, there are cases where the treatment is delayed because there are people who see a brain surgery or internal medicine department. A simple way to distinguish it from facial nerve palsy caused by brain disease is this wrinkle. If there is an abnormality in the brain, forehead paralysis does not occur, so even facial paralysis can make wrinkles on the forehead. Also, although similar to Hunt's syndrome, there are no complications in Velma's facial paralysis caused by herpes simplex virus, only facial paralysis.

What is the treatment for Hunt's syndrome?

What is the cure rate when early treatment was possible or how long until complete?

In Hunt's syndrome, the prognosis depends on early treatment. Since the facial nerve gradually degenerates for 7 to 10 days after the onset, it is important to receive sufficient treatment within 7 days. Whether you can recover depends on how severe your symptoms are when they are most severe. It can be treated at an early stage and if the paralysis is mild, it usually gets better in 1 to 2 months.

Severe paralysis, in which one side of the face cannot move at all, can be cured in about 60 to 70%. Generally, it is easy to recover within 3 months of the onset, but there is a possibility of recovery within half a year to a year. In the aftereffects of facial paralysis, pathological joint movements or convulsions that move the mouth together when the eyes are closed are highly likely to cause a mentally difficult situation because abnormalities can be detected. may not.

What treatment is provided?

Early treatment is the administration of drugs against the virus, using steroids and antiviral drugs. The varicella zoster herpes virus is usually given either 'valacyclovir' or 'icyclovir'. For mild symptoms, oral treatment is performed as an outpatient, but if the symptoms are severe, Ringer's treatment is possible by hospitalization. Facial nerve palsy can be suppressed relatively mildly if appropriate treatment can be started within 10 days. However, about half of people who develop Hunt syndrome need rehabilitation during the recovery period because the sequelae remain. Rehabilitation is performed only for people with neurological disorders for the purpose of preventing pathological joint movements or convulsions.

What if there are side effects?

If the symptoms of facial nerve palsy of Hunt's syndrome are severe, it can cause pathological joint movements, convulsions, and convulsions. In addition, if dizziness or hearing loss remains, it may interfere with daily life such as driving a car as well as communicating with people.

There are treatments such as botox injections or plastic surgery for sequelae of the facial nerve. Botox injections can be given as an outpatient, and treatment is required every 2 to 5 months for the effect to last. Plastic surgery is a method to remove tense facial muscles, but there are limited medical institutions that can receive treatment.

Prevention of Hunt Syndrome

To prevent Hunt syndrome, the first step is to avoid infection with the varicella zoster virus. Hunt syndrome can be prevented by vaccinating children who are not yet infected with the chickenpox vaccine. If you are not infected with chickenpox, the varicella zoster herpes virus does not dormant in the facial nerve ganglia.

Can adults with chickenpox no longer be prevented?

Adults can also prevent Hunt syndrome by getting the chickenpox vaccine. If you've already had chickenpox, you may be at risk of developing Hunt's syndrome, but research has shown that getting the chickenpox vaccine boosts your immunity against the varicella-zoster virus. If you can get vaccinated regularly, you can prevent the onset of Hunt's syndrome even if your immunity is weakened by aging and poor physical condition.

Are there any good things to pay attention to in your daily life?

To prevent Hunt's syndrome, it is important to lead a regular life so that you can boost your immunity. Also, stress or excessive exercise can lower your immune system, which can trigger the varicella zoster and herpes virus to start ramping up. Avoid sleep deprivation and overwork, and make regular time to recharge and relax so that you can rest your body and mind.

In addition, diabetes is known to weaken the immune system, making it easier to contract infectious diseases. Eating a well-balanced diet will also lead to the prevention of Hunt syndrome. When you consume vitamins and proteins, your metabolism increases and supports your immune system. In addition, if you actively consume fermented foods or dietary fiber, the intestinal environment is created, which leads to improved immunity.

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Hunt syndrome is more likely to be cured the sooner it is treated. If you understand the characteristics of the symptoms, you can quickly see an otolaryngologist and receive appropriate treatment. Although there are treatments that can be received even if the sequelae remain, it is important not to develop Hunt syndrome in the first place. In order not to suffer from the aftereffects of Hunt syndrome, let your children get regular chickenpox vaccinations and be conscious of actions to boost immunity in their daily life.