Correspondence
Acute urinary retention as a complication of primary varicella-zoster infection of childhood – a second reported case
David M Favara, Maurice Levy
Abstract
We present the case of an 8 year old male child with acute urinary retention and constipation following primary varicella-zoster infection (chicken pox). To our knowledge, this unusual complication has only been reported once before in the modern English-language medical literature. Our patient’s presentation is congruent with the hypothesis that towards the end of primary varicella-zoster infection, virus infecting a specific ganglion (prior to becoming latent) may cause transient neurological effects.
Authors' affiliations
David M Favara, East London Hospital Complex, East London, Eastern Cape
Maurice Levy, East London Hospital Complex, East London, Eastern Cape
Keywords
primary varicella-zoster infection; chicken pox; urinary retention
Cite this article
South African Medical Journal 2012;102(4):196.
Article History
Date submitted: 2012-01-22
Date published: 2012-03-14
Article Views
Abstract views: 2298
Full text views: 8994
Comments on this article
*Read our policy for posting comments
here
Comments on this article
*Read our policy for posting comments here