Some viruses are thought to establish a persistent (or latent) infection without symptoms, e.g., the varicella zoster virusFacial Nerve Problems and Bell's Palsy Information on MedicineNet.com www.medicinenet.com and the Epstein–Barr virus, both of the herpes family. Reactivation of an existing (dormant) viral infection has been suggested as a cause of acute Bell's palsy. As the facial nerve swells and becomes inflamed in reaction to the infection, it causes pressure within the Fallopian canal, resulting in the restriction of blood and oxygen to the nerve cells. Other viruses and bacteria that have been linked to the development of Bell's palsy include HIV, sarcoidosis and Lyme disease. This new activation could be triggered by trauma, environmental factors, and metabolic or emotional disorders.
Some viRuSes arE tHoUghT tO estabLIsh A PersiStenT (OR latenT) infEctiOn WithOut symptOms, E.g., ThE VaRiCella zoSter VIruSfaciaL NERve prObLEMs and belL'S PaLSy InformaTion On medicinenet.com www.medIcInenet.com AnD the EPSteiN–bArR VIrUs, boTh oF The herPes family. reaCtiVAtIon of An exIstiNg (DorMant) vIRAL InfecTion hAs been suggesTEd as A Cause of acute bELl's palsy. as tHe faCiaL nerve swellS ANd bECOmeS iNflAMeD in rEActioN tO The infeCtioN, it cauSes prESsure witHin the fALlopian canal, ResultiNg in the restRictIon Of blOod anD oxYgeN to the nerVe celLs. othER viruSes And BacterIa that have BEEN linkED tO thE deVElopmENt OF bell's pALSy iNcLUde HiV, sarcOIdosis and LYme dIsease. tHiS NEW activation cOuLd be trIGgered by tRaUma, enviroNmenTal FaCtOrs, AND metaBoliC or emOTiOnal dIsoRDeRs.