Pop Star Can’t Hide His Secret Diagnosis Any Longer

Pop singer Justin Bieber shared that he has been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

The 28-year-old singer shared an Instagram video Friday showing his fans the right side of his face is paralized due to the varicella-zoster virus.

“For those who are frustrated by my cancellations of the next shows, I’m just physically, obviously, not capable of doing them,” he said. “This is pretty serious as you can see. I wish this wasn’t the case, but obviously, my body is telling me that I’ve got to slow down.”

“I hope you guys understand,” Bieber added. “I’ll just be using this time to rest and relax and get back to 100% so that I can do what I was born to do.”

Ramsay Hunt syndrome, also known as herpes zoster oticus, occurs when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near a person’s ear, according to Mayo Clinic.

The same virus that causes chickenpox causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome and can lead to facial paralysis and hearing loss in the affected ear.

After chickenpox, the virus lives in a person’s nerves, potentially reactivating years later.

Anyone who has had chickenpox can get Ramsay Hunt syndrome, although it is more common in adults over 60.

Symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome include a painful red rash with fluid-filled blisters on, in, or around one ear and facial weakness or paralysis on the same side as the affected ear.

Patients may also experience ear pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, difficulty closing one eye, vertigo, dry mouth and eyes, and a change or loss of taste.