Herpes Zoster Infection of Orofacial Region in a Geriatric Patient: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT

The varicella-zoster virus reactivates to cause the "herpes zoster" (HZ). ''Varicella-zoster virus'' (VZV) termed as ''HHV-3'' or ''human herpesvirus-3'' infection causes herpes zoster. Varicella, the primary form of the virus, is chickenpox, and the secondary form of the virus is herpes zoster also called shingles. During prior chicken pox episodes, this virus enters the body through cutaneous nerve endings and becomes dormant in the dorsal root ganglia. It sometimes affects the orofacial region and appears as unilaterally distributed burning pain, multiple, painful vesicular lesions, and ulcerations. Immunocompromised people are more likely to have disseminated zoster, which is defined as the involvement of three or more dermatomes. These are most likely to occur in elderly, immunocompromised patients, patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy, patients on immunosuppressants, and patients suffering from AIDS. This is a study of a male geriatric patient, aged 74 years, who reported unilateral pain, swelling, as well as multiple ulcerations on the left side of his face, extraorally as well as intraorally. The case was diagnosed as a herpes zoster infection involving V1 and V2 dermatome of the trigeminal nerve.