Based on previous studies, selenium may have a knack for helping prevent viral infections, featuring influenza viruses, hepatitis B virus, and coronal viruses. The intention of the current investigation was to ascertain whether there is a link between blood selenium levels and herpes simplex virus considering the relationship between selenium and herpes simplex virus (HSV) remains unknown. Between 2011 and 2016, data was gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Applying univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis in tandem with propensity score matching (PSM), correlations between blood selenium levels and HSV prevalence were evaluated. An overall of 5656 individuals were incorporated in the final analysis. 3397 (60.06%) and 1014 (17.93%) of the samples tested positive for HSV-1 and HSV-2 ahead of to PSM. The results of univariate logistic regression (OR=0.68 and 0.57, p<0.001) and multivariate logistic regression (OR= 0.65 and 0.55, p<0.001), which adjusted for variables with p<0.05 in the univariate regression, showed a negative correlation between blood selenium levels and HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections.The HSV-1 and HSV-2 groups had considerably lower blood selenium levels than the non-HSV-infected group (p<0.001). An elevated risk of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection was significantly inversely linked with a lower blood selenium level.