Abstract

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a debilitating viral infection causing a dermatomal vesicular rash. Many known risk factors exist in India and adults >50 years of age may be especially susceptible to HZ. However, HZ is not a notifiable disease in India and data on incidence and disease burden is lacking. Homeopathy has a long history of showing a significant impact in controlling viral diseases which we have seen during the Covid-19 pandemic as well. In this case report we intend to report two cases of herpes zoster out-break in elderly male patients. Symptoms of vesicular eruption, burning, and tachycardia with increased body temperature were evident in both cases with varying intensities. Considering the acuteness of the diseases, both were prescribed Pyrogen 200CH, at an interval of an hour, followed by a placebo. Considering the favourable prognosis and signs of healing over the affected area they were prescribed Calendula officinalis 1000CH in fractional distillation. In both these cases, rapid gentle relief without any adverse events was observed. Hence we raise the possibility of homeopathy having a pivotal role in managing the re-infection of varicella zoster among the elderly population. We also believe that this novel case series harnesses the path for future research among the larger population to understand the scope and limitations regarding the usefulness of these ultra-diluted homeopathic medicines.

Keywords

herpes zoster, re-activation of herpes virus, homeopathy, case-reports