[Alpha herpes virus and facial palsy]

Alpha herpes virus is the major causes of peripheral facial palsy such as Bell's palsy or Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, and can be diagnosed by facial nerve paralysis associated with herpetic eruption on the pinna, and complication of by vestibulo-cochlear dysfunction. On the other hand, Bell's palsy presents only facial palsy and its diagnosis is made by the exclusion of known conditions. The causes of Bell's palsy had been unknown for many years, however, recently it was revealed that herpes simplex type 1 was the major cause of Bell's palsy by PCR. Because early treatment with acyclovir and prednisone was proven to be effective, we should make efforts to diagnose these diseases as early as possible.