Bilateral Thoracic Herpes Zoster in a 62-year-old Immunocompetent Woman

J Assoc Physicians India. 2024 Dec;72(12):e57-e58. doi: 10.59556/japi.72.0764.

Abstract

Herpes zoster (HZ), caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), typically presents as a unilateral dermatomal erythematous vesicular rash. Bilateral HZ is rare and usually associated with immunocompromise. We report the case of a 62-year-old female with no evident immunocompromise who developed bilateral thoracic HZ. The patient was treated with antivirals and pain medications. Our case highlights the rarity of bilateral HZ and its implications for diagnosis and management. We also review the literature on bilateral HZ in the English literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Herpes Zoster* / complications
  • Herpes Zoster* / diagnosis
  • Herpes Zoster* / drug therapy
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence*
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Acyclovir