Viral etiology represents less than 1% of acute pancreatitis (AP) in adults, even rarer if associated with varicella-zoster (VZ), having poor prognosis especially in immunocompromised. Reported 77-year-old male at emergency, with 24 hours of strong epigastric pain. Clinical signs with laboratory and imaging tests diagnosed AP. After clinical treatment, was discharged at 6th day. At follow up, exams excluded differential etiological diagnoses and, with the three mild annual herpes zoster crises, IgG strongly reactive for VZ virus and lumbosacral lesions, hypothesized herpetic pancreatitis. Herpetic AP in immunocompetent emphasizes thorough examination for etiological identification and better treatment targeting at emergency.