Bilateral and Recurrent Facial Palsy: A Sequela of Inflammatory Response to COVID-19 Vaccine and other Antigens: A Case Report

Abstract

　　Bilateral and recurrent facial palsy is observed in 0.3%-0.5% of all cases of facial palsy. We report a case of bilateral and recurrent facial palsy in a patient who had facial palsy eight times after receiving a shot of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine and experiencing cold and fever. Aside the reactivation of latent herpes simplex infection caused by immunosuppression, demyelination from an autoimmune response to viral infections might underlie the recurrent facial palsy. Recovery from facial palsy tends to become challenging after a recurrence. The patient may possibly present with other symptoms in the future, which may aid the diagnosis of other diseases, such as systemic diseases. Therefore, further appropriate examinations, investigations, and treatments will be needed in the long-term.