bell palsy causes
While the causes of Bell's palsy are not fully known, you may be more likely to get it if you are pregnant, are between 15 and 60 years of age, or have one of the following: 1  Herpes simplex. 2  Diabetes. 3  A common cold.  The 1  flu. Lyme disease. 2  Mononucleosis. HIV or another autoimmune disorder.  Sarcoidosis.
Viruses that have been linked to Bell's palsy include the virus that causes: 1  Cold sores and genital herpes (herpes simplex) 2  Chickenpox and shingles (herpes zoster) 3  Mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr)  Cytomegalovirus 1  infections. Respiratory illnesses (adenovirus)  German measles 1  (rubella) Mumps (mumps 2  virus) Flu (influenza  B)