Article Text
Summary
Varicella virus is a neurotropic virus that can reactivate later in life to cause zoster or shingles. Typically, it affects elderly, immunocompromised population. We report an unusual case of an immunocompetent young adult presenting with occipital headache and zoster rash, without preherpetic and postherpetic neuralgia, who was diagnosed with varicella meningitis on Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). He was treated with intravenous acyclovir and later discharged on famciclovir. Diagnosis of varicella meningitis is difficult in the absence of typical features of zoster rash and requires high index of suspicion. Rapid diagnostic tests including varicella PCR and antithecal antibody testing can help in the confirmation of varicella zoster meningitis.
- infection (neurology)
- vaccination/immunisation
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Footnotes
Contributors MFK and MJ was involved in the care of the patient. MFK and TK came up with the initial plan. MFK prepared the first draft that was further modified by TK. All three authors contributed in literature search equally. Manuscript was critically reviewed for intellectual content and proofread by MJ. MFK and TK revised the manuscript. In the end, all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.