Human immunodeficiency virus infection in a child presenting as herpes zoster ophthalmicus

Herpes zoster is mainly a disease of the elderly. Its occurrence in younger age should be viewed with suspicion. A 9-year-old boy presented with herpes zoster ophthalmicus. He had a history of abdominal surgery one and half years back during which he had received blood transfusion. A year following the surgery he developed general malaise and fever with progressive weight loss. He was treated by local doctors. Subsequently he developed eruptions of blisters around right eye for a duration of 8 days, with which he presented to the department of ophthalmology, Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur. On investigations he was found to have infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Systemic acyclovir along with antiretroviral treatment was started, to which he showed favourable response.