Herpes zoster in a 10 year old child

Abstract

This work is a case report of Herpes Zoster occurrence in a 10-year-old child.Herpes Zoster (Shingles) is caused by Herpes Virus Varicellae (Varicella Zoster Virus). The same virus causes both Varicella and Zoster. While Varicella is the primary infection, Zoster is the result of reactivation of the residual latent virus infection. Consequently, it is Varicella, and not Zoster, that is commonly observed in childhood. Therefore, this case of Herpes Zoster occurring in a 10-year-old child is of interest to the Dermatology community.A male child aged 10 years complained of skin rash involving the left hemithorax. Examination revealed the rash to consist of erythematous papules and vesicles. The eruption was confined only to T3 and T4 segments on the left side. The skin rash was present since 1 week and it was associated with mild pain. There were no other constitutional symptoms. At 2 years age, the child had suffered from chicken pox.A clinical diagnosis of Herpes Zoster was made and the child was put on Acyclovir and other supportive drugs. Skin rash cleared in 1 week without any scarring or residual damage.Although Zoster is believed to be primarily a disease of adulthood, this case suggests that it can occur in children as well. This work is a case report of Herpes Zoster occurrence in a 10-year-old child. Herpes Zoster (Shingles) is caused by Herpes Virus Varicellae (Varicella Zoster Virus). The same virus causes both Varicella and Zoster. While Varicella is the primary infection, Zoster is the result of reactivation of the residual latent virus infection. Consequently, it is Varicella, and not Zoster, that is commonly observed in childhood. Therefore, this case of Herpes Zoster occurring in a 10-year-old child is of interest to the Dermatology community. A male child aged 10 years complained of skin rash involving the left hemithorax. Examination revealed the rash to consist of erythematous papules and vesicles. The eruption was confined only to T3 and T4 segments on the left side. The skin rash was present since 1 week and it was associated with mild pain. There were no other constitutional symptoms. At 2 years age, the child had suffered from chicken pox. A clinical diagnosis of Herpes Zoster was made and the child was put on Acyclovir and other supportive drugs. Skin rash cleared in 1 week without any scarring or residual damage. Although Zoster is believed to be primarily a disease of adulthood, this case suggests that it can occur in children as well.