Background and aims: We are currently facing a new pandemic coronavirus. COVID-19 was shown to be linked with a continuous reduction in lymphocytes along the disease. Human alphaherpesvirus-3 (HHV-3) is a virus with the ability to establish latency in ganglionic neurons throughout the entire neuroaxis. After reactivation, HHV-3 causes herpes zoster, accompanied by skin shingles in a lot of cases. HHV-3 also infect the central nervous system (CNS). There are some scientific reports that HHV-3 complicate the course of COVID-19 infection; others that HHV-3 can be a marker for COVID-19 infection. Methods: We report two cases of the infection of Herpes Zoster, during convalescence from COVID-19, followed by neurological complications.
Results: A 66 year old man during convalescence from COVID-19 presenting right facial herpes zoster (HZ) embracing I and II trigeminal divisions, after two months he develops postherpetic neuralgia. Another one, a 60 year old woman during convalescence from COVID-19 presenting with HZ in a left-sided Th7-Th8 dermatomal distribution and viral meningoencephalitis. It’s important to limit contact of patients with HZ to avoid HHV-3 transmision to patients during recovery from COVID-19 infection, especially in elders. Antiviral treatment should be longer than usual.
Conclusion: Our report highlights that patients during convalescence period from COVID-19 must be monitored. Older people are at high risk for Herpes Zoster reactivation. Early treatment may be crucial and should be established in suspected cases. Nowadays telemedicine is impowered. That how we can prevent neurological complications from HZ during convalescence from COVID-19 infection. Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.