Summary

The Varicella-zoster virus is a neurotropic human herpes virus belonging to the genus alpha herpesviridiae. The virus is responsible for primary infection resulting in varicella and herpes zoster representing a reactivation of latent infection. It shows a worldwide distribution. While most frequently seen in older adults, herpes zoster can also develop in otherwise healthy children and adolescents. It is widely accepted that early childhood chickenpox infection may be linked to the occurrence of herpes zoster in immunocompetent children. In this article we present a rare case of pediatric herpes zoster in a 7-year-old girl who had a confirmed history of primary varicella infection during infancy, at one year of age. Although herpes zoster is uncommon in the pediatric population, this case illustrates a characteristic clinical course in an otherwise healthy child and underscores the importance of an interdisciplinary approach involving dermatology in collaboration with family medicine, pediatrics, and infectious diseases specialists.