Unilateral Oral Herpes Zoster in an Elderly Female: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Herpes zoster, caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus, typically presents with a unilateral, dermatomal rash. This case report describes a presentation of oral herpes zoster in a 64-year-old female patient. The patient presented with painful mouth ulcers confined to the right half of the posterior two-thirds of the hard palate, not crossing the midline. The diagnosis was based on clinical presentation, and treatment included systemic oral acyclovir and pain management with paracetamol. The patient showed substantial improvement with complete healing of the ulcers. This case highlights the importance of recognizing various presentations of herpes zoster, particularly in the oral cavity. It emphasizes the effectiveness of prompt antiviral therapy and appropriate pain management in treating oral herpes zoster. The report also underscores the potential role of risk factors such as advanced age and chronic conditions in herpes zoster susceptibility. This case contributes to the literature on oral manifestations of herpes zoster and stresses the need for clinical vigilance in diagnosing and managing such cases.

Keywords: acyclovir treatment; antiviral therapy; clinical diagnosis; herpes zoster; oral lesion; unilateral lesion; varicella-zoster virus.

Figure 1

Grouped white ulcerations with erythematous halos on the right half of the posterior two-thirds of the hard palate, not crossing the midline.

Figure 2

Follow-up examination showing significant improvement and healing of the oral herpes zoster lesions following treatment.