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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?
posted on
Sat, 26 Jan 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 9 Jul 2013
Answered on
Tue, 9 Jul 2013
Last reviewed on
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.
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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