A Case of Herpes Zoster With Genital Area Involvement Mistaken for Herpes Genitalis

Herpes zoster develops following the reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV), and its location on sacral dermatome and consequential involvement of the genital area is a rare occurence. In this report, a 79-year-old male with genital herpes zoster was presented. It was mistaken initially for herpes genitalis, caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2, because of location of the rash. The patient’s serum antibodies have been found as follows anti-HSV type 2 IgM negative, anti-HSV type 2 IgG positive, anti-VZV IgM and anti-VZV IgG positive, and he was diagnosed as genital herpes zoster by evaluating together with his age, clinical and laboratory findings. He recovered with valacyclovir therapy. Klimik Dergisi 2019; 32(1): 96-8.