Abstract
ImageAcute herpes zoster infection is a painful dermatomal lesion that can masquerade as a wide array of dermatologic conditions. While visiting the United States, this 26-year-old Malaysian man developed a fever and vesicular rash that extended from the right perianal region along the right intergluteal cleft and right gluteus maximus. Despite reporting a noncontributory sexual history, the patient expressed concern about having a sexually transmitted disease, and worried about the transmissibility of the rash to future sexual partners. Sacral herpes zoster infection was confirmed by direct fluorescent antigen swab obtained from the base of one of the vesicular lesions. The patient was lost to follow-up and unavailable for further HIV testing. Sacral herpes zoster infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of new onset unilateral anal rash. When it presents in a young individual, it may suggest undiagnosed HIV infection. Return to EM-News.com
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
