Herpes Zoster: A Case Report of a Rare Ramification Leading to Secondary Infection

The herpes virus causes herpes zoster (HZ) (shingles). It develops years later in elderly patients who were affected by the varicella-zoster virus in their childhood. The virus gets reactivated and typically localizes its symptoms to a particular dermatome. If left untreated, it can lead to dental complications, such as osteonecrosis, tooth exfoliation, periodontitis, calcified and devitalized pulps, periapical lesions, and root resorption, in addition to developmental irregularities, such as abnormally short roots and missing teeth. Here, we present the case of a 61-year-old male affected by a rare bacterial superinfection followed by an HZ infection. Our report aims at making clinicians aware of the various potential complications that can develop after an HZ infection.