The Very Rare Concurrency Of Herpes Zoster And Varicella In A 4-Year-Old Boy

Varicella is a common and worldwide disease in childhood. It causes primary (chickenpox) and latent infection that may lead to a reactivation disease called zoster (shingles). Zoster or shingles is caused by reactivation of the virus that has been latent in the spinal dorsal ganglion and may occur even in immunocompetent hosts. Although zoster is rare in children, it may happen sometimes latter. The contemporaneous occurrence varicella and zoster are very rare. We present an immunocompetent 4 years old boy presented by simultaneous varicella and zoster after a household contact. In this case, the virus appeared both neurotropic and dermotropic characteristics simultaneously. This study may enhance the awareness about this rare presentation and obviate the need for unnecessary treatments and investigations for both clinicians and patients.