A 55-year-old male with a history of recurrent oral herpes presents with a sudden onset of right-sided facial droop and inability to close his right eye. Examination reveals vesicular lesions on the right external ear canal and oral commissure. What is the likely diagnosis, and what is the appropriate treatment?
The patient's symptoms suggest Ramsay Hunt syndrome, also known as herpes zoster oticus, which is a reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (a herpesvirus) in the facial nerve. However, it can sometimes be caused by reactivation of HSV. Treatment typically involves a combination of high-dose antivirals and corticosteroids to reduce severity and improve recovery of facial nerve function.