Post-varicella epiglottitis and necrotizing fasciitis

Varicella is a nearly ubiquitous acquired childhood disease. Infectious complications of varicella can be life- or limb-threatening. These complications appear 3 to 4 days after the appearance of varicella exanthem and are heralded by fever, pain, and erythema of the overlying skin. Airway complications of varicella are rare, rapidly evolving, and, unfortunately, difficult to visualize. We report a child who presented with a unique combination of varicella-induced airway complications-acute epiglottitis and subsequent necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck.