Recently Justin Bieber disclosed that he has Ramsey Hunt Syndrome. This condition is a form of shingles, which is caused by the varicella virus, which in turn causes chickenpox. The condition leads to reduced facial expression, muscle weakness, difficulty eating and drinking and a rash that affects the ear. As for Justin Bieber’s diagnosis, many in the anti-vaccine community jumped on this news, since it was thought that he contracted Ramsey Hunt Syndrome from a COVID vaccine. Of course, they are using this news to promote their views that vaccines are harmful.  

Contrary to what the anti-vaccine community believes, an epidemiologist from the University of Illinois Chicago, Katrine Wallace, PhD, took to Twitter to explain both the condition and that it is a vaccine preventable condition.  Since Ramsey Hunt is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, getting the chickenpox vaccine or getting the shingles vaccine, for those over the age of 50, will prevent the occurrence of shingles and Ramsey Hunt Syndrome.

This is an example of how quickly misinformation can spread on social media and all the more reason to counter misinformation with facts, as Wallace did about Ramsey Hunt Syndrome. What this means for you is that you may want to view the information you find on social media with a skeptical eye.  The blessing and curse of social media is that anyone can post anything, so it is easy to post information that is either suspect or flat out wrong. 

It is important to verify information before you accept it as fact. Try to Google the headline. Are other news outlets covering the topic?  Where is the information coming from? Is it from a government or university website or is it from someone who is posting their opinion?

Unfortunately, there are those who don’t care where the information comes from, as long as it fits their worldview and the viewpoint of their followers.  That’s where sharing experience come in. As an epidemiologist, Wallace knows a thing or two about diseases, so she shared what she knows about Ramsey Hunt to counter what the anti-vaccine camp is saying about the condition. If you are knowledgeable in an area, share it with others, either on social media, on a company blog or by reaching out to your local media. 

Granted there will be those who will stick to their views, no matter the evidence presented. Still, it is better to get factual information out there if only to counteract the false narrative. In addition, sharing your expertise doesn’t just spread knowledge, it positions you as a subject matter expert. Since members of the media like to work with subject matter experts, chances are good that reporters will seek you out because you have established yourself as an expert.  It almost goes without saying that having positive media coverage is good for business.