TY - JOUR T1 - Herpes zoster induced acute urinary retention in the immunocompetent female JF - BMJ Case Reports DO - 10.1136/bcr.07.2008.0452 VL - 2009 SP - bcr0720080452 AU - John Biddlestone AU - Lokesh Suraparaju AU - Nimish Shah Y1 - 2009/01/01 UR - http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2009/bcr.07.2008.0452.abstract N2 - We present a rare case of acute urinary retention complicated by constipation secondary to a unilateral herpes zoster reactivation in the S2-4 dermatomes of an immunocompetent female. Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical examination, negative cystoscopy and positive viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for herpes zoster virus. The patient was commenced on a course of oral acyclovir, the bowel symptoms resolved, and the patient was discharged with a urinary catheter in situ for an outpatient trial without catheter for 2 weeks to be followed by a course of intermittent self catheterisation pending resolution of symptoms. ER -