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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Shingles Around Left Ear, Down Neck On Left Side, Zoster Without Herpes, Began Valacyclovir, Mild Vertigo. Any Damage Of Vestibular Nerve ?

I had shingles starting on December 25. It occurred around my left ear and down my neck on the left side. It was apparently zoster without herpes , as I began valacyclovir with 72 hours of onset and never developed blisters, just a raised painful rash. About 3 weeks after it started I experieced a brief 1 to 3 minute episode of mild vertigo . The ground wouldn t stay still. Today I had the same thing occur in my home. Same duration same effect. Is it possible that the zoster virus has damaged my vestibular nerve and these episodes could continue or worsen?
Tue, 9 Jul 2013
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Pathologist and Microbiologist 's  Response
Hello,

Herpes zoster infection of the external ear is called Ramsay hunt syndrome.

The Zoster viruses lie dormant in the ganglionic cells and may cause postherpetic neuralgia.

But mostly vestibular nerve may be damaged by infection as well as tumours.

You may need ENT consultation and MRI for evaluation.
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Shingles Around Left Ear, Down Neck On Left Side, Zoster Without Herpes, Began Valacyclovir, Mild Vertigo. Any Damage Of Vestibular Nerve ?

Hello, Herpes zoster infection of the external ear is called Ramsay hunt syndrome. The Zoster viruses lie dormant in the ganglionic cells and may cause postherpetic neuralgia. But mostly vestibular nerve may be damaged by infection as well as tumours. You may need ENT consultation and MRI for evaluation.