Publication:

Orbital cellulitis secondary to primary varicella zoster infection in a child: a rare but serious complication

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection is generally a self-limiting childhood illness; however, secondary bacterial complications may result in significant morbidity. Orbital cellulitis is a rare but vision-threatening complication of varicella, usually arising from bacterial superinfection following disruption of the cutaneous barrier. We report the case of a 7-year-old child who developed unilateral orbital cellulitis three days after the onset of primary varicella infection. Prompt recognition and aggressive combined antiviral and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy resulted in complete clinical recovery. This case highlights the importance of early identification of red-flag symptoms in varicella and underscores the need for vigilant monitoring for invasive bacterial complications.