Know the Facts - Age of Onset

Am I Too Young to Get RHS?

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (RHS), also known as herpes zoster oticus, is a reactivation of varicella zoster virus (aka the Chickenpox virus) in the facial nerve. It also affects the surrounding cochlear nerve which then impacts hearing and balance. This syndrome can result in facial paralysis, hearing loss, dizziness, an ear rash, and pain in and around the ear. Additionally, patients with RHS often face mental health challenges and isolation – withdrawing from social activities. It is important to remember when seeking diagnosis that not everyone who gets RHS gets all these symptoms. While RHS most commonly affects people in their 40s-70s, people of all ages can get RHS! 

A commonly referenced paper by Devriese and Moesker (1988) that examined 147 patients with RHS found an average age of onset in men of 47.3 years and in women of 50.6 years. Another paper by Murakami et al. (1997) examined a sample of 80 patients and found an age range of 15 to 75 years. A case report by Bjerkhoel and Hyden (1989) reported a case of RHS in a child only 3.5 years old. These papers reinforce that RHS can impact anyone at any age.

Similarly, patients who do not make a complete recovery can be any age. Children, young adults, and patients in their middle and older years can all develop chronic (aka lifelong) RHS. RHS patients, regardless of age, need immediate treatment and frequent follow up to make sure they are offered the support and therapies they need. 

The mission of the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Foundation is to elevate care for all patients living with RHS through comprehensive support, education and advocacy. Have a question you'd like to see answered in our “Know the Facts” section? Let us know HERE!

RHS can appear at any age!