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Treating recurrent Bell’s palsy: Would antiviral prophylaxis be useful?

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Bell’s palsy is the commonest cause of acute VII-nerve weakness, with first-episode incidence typically 15 per 100,000 [ 1 ]. Although most attacks are self-limiting, 215% of patients experience further episodes [ 2 ]. This recurrence leads to delayed recovery and compounds functional and psychosocial disability. The clinical dilemma is stark: guidelines, evidence and even pathophysiological models have been constructed almost around first attacks, leaving clinicians to extrapolate when Bell’s recurs [ 2 ].

Source: Journal of Translational Medicine

DOI: 10.1186/s12967-025-07187-7

Authors: Jia Dong James Wang, Ling-Ling Chan, Tan Eng-King