Canadian singer Justin Bieber, 28, had to cancel concerts due to Ramsey Hunt Syndrome caused by the herpes zoster virus. The disease causes facial paralysis and affects the auditory system, which may be preceded by tinnitus and dizziness.

Singer Justin Bieber showed how one side of his face is completely paralyzed – Photo: Instagram reproduction @justinbieber/ND

Neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes said in an interview with Notícias da TV that several factors may contribute to the onset of the disease.

“It is caused by a viral infection, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Located in the geniculate ganglion. When immunity drops for any reason, such as stress, work overload, excessive sun exposure, it can show up. Situations in which a person is out of balance can predispose to this state, ”he comments.

As for recovery after diagnosis, the neurosurgeon talks about treatment options.

“This is done with antivirals and corticosteroids in addition to symptomatic medications. [que não controlam a evolução da síndrome, mas tratam dor e inflamação]. Often, physiotherapy work may even be required to rehabilitate facial paralysis,” he adds.

But to avoid the syndrome, Brazil this month launched a new herpes zoster vaccine, said to be the most expensive on the market. The immunizing drug Chingrix from the pharmaceutical company GSK is more than 90% effective in people over 50 years of age.

According to the portal Poder360, with two doses, the cost of one application is 843 reais (total 1686 reais). The cost may also increase according to the taxes of each region in addition to the cost set by the clinics. While the vaccine is not available in SUS (United Health System).

ABCVac (Brazilian Association of Vaccine Clinics) believes that the price is influenced by the high dollar exchange rate, as well as technologies that have increased the effectiveness of immunizers.

Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and BioNTech announced in January this year that they had developed the first mRNA vaccine against herpes zoster. If the immunizer arrives in Brazil, the cost of Shingrix may decrease.