Herpesviruses are common in the trigeminal and facial ganglia, latently infecting 64% of cases. HHV-6 was the most commonly identified herpesvirus in these tissues — about half of all autopsy specimens were found to have the virus in trigeminal and/or facial ganglia.
HHV-6 may play a significant role in patients with Bell’s Palsy
Study finds high prevelence, high viral loads of HHV-6 in patients with Bell’s Palsy