Herpes tester (HZ) in childhood is rather unusual. This reactivation of chi
ckenpox, the primary varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection that lies dorma
nt within sensory ganglia, is seen with increased frequency in otherwise he
althy children who acquire chickenpox either in utero or within the first y
ear of life. Our patient is a good example of this; he was exposed to chick
enpox at the age of 3 months (by his 2 siblings) and developed HZ at 6 year
s of age.