Can Chicken Pox Cause Hearing Loss?
Can Chicken Pox Cause Hearing Loss?Answer: The chicken pox virus (varicella zoster virus) can cause hearing loss in both children and adults. A child who gets chicken pox may be at higher risk for ear infection, and hearing loss can, but it rarely, happens. In adults older than 60, the chicken pox virus can reactivate itself in a condition known as shingles (herpes zoster). One symptom of shingles is hearing loss. If an adult has not been vaccinated for shingles, the virus can also reactivate in a rare disease called Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Ramsay Hunt affects the nerve near the inner ear, and causes a painful rash. This painful rash can happen on the eardrum, ear canal, or the earlobe. The syndrome produces weakness of the face one side of the face. In addition, generally temporary hearing loss can happen in one ear. Treatment involves steroids or antiviral drugs. A vaccine is available for chicken pox and shingles. It is still possible to contract a case of chicken pox even after recei
Can Chicken Pox Cause Hearing Loss?Answer: The chicken pox virus (varicella zoster virus) can cause hearing loss in both children and adults. A child who gets chicken pox may be at higher risk for ear infection, and hearing loss can, but it rarely, happens. In adults older than 60, the chicken pox virus can reactivate itself in a condition known as shingles (herpes zoster). One symptom of shingles is hearing loss. If an adult has not been vaccinated for shingles, the virus can also reactivate in a rare disease called Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Ramsay Hunt affects the nerve near the inner ear, and causes a painful rash. This painful rash can happen on the eardrum, ear canal, or the earlobe. The syndrome produces weakness of the face one side of the face. In addition, generally temporary hearing loss can happen in one ear. Treatment involves steroids or antiviral drugs. A vaccine is available for chicken pox and shingles. It is still possible to contract a case of chicken pox even after recei
