Although the exact reason Bell’s palsy occurs isn’t clear, it’s often related to having a viral infection. Viruses that have been linked to Bell’s palsy include viruses that cause:

* Cold sores and genital herpes, also known as herpes simplex.
* Chickenpox and shingles, also known as herpes zoster.
* Infectious mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.
* Cytomegalovirus infections.
* Respiratory illnesses, caused by adenoviruses.
* German measles, also known as rubella.
* Mumps, caused by the mumps virus.
* Flu, also known as influenza B.
* Hand-foot-and-mouth disease, caused by a coxsackievirus.

Took me a minute. Epstein-Barr virus did give me a chuckle.