This case illustrates a rare presentation of herpes zoster (HZ) in infancy. A six-month-old male infant was observed during a routine health surveillance visit with a four-day history of vesicular rash localized to the right upper limb and dorsum, following a dermatomal distribution (C7-C8). The child had previously had varicella at 48 days of age. He was afebrile, asymptomatic, and in good general condition. Clinical findings and medical history supported a diagnosis of HZ. Given the mild presentation and the time elapsed since onset, a conservative management approach with clinical monitoring was adopted. Complete resolution occurred within 10 days. This case provides an example of HZ in early infancy, identified during routine follow-up, and managed successfully without complications. This case reinforces the importance of clinical suspicion in atypical age groups and highlights the central role of the family physician in longitudinal care and early recognition of uncommon pediatric conditions.
Costa et al. (Mon,) studied this question.