Test To Confirm Shingles

Blood tests may show an increase in white blood cells and antibodies to the chickenpox virus but they cannot confirm that the rash is due to shingles.

Test to confirm shingles.

Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the cdc website. Doctors use two types of tests to diagnose chickenpox or shingles. Examining your skin asking about your symptoms asking questions about your medical history such as whether you ve had chickenpox if your immune system is weak your. If you have an atypical rash or there aren t any good swabs to use as a sample for pcr serological testing can be used in addition to a physical exam to diagnose shingles typically by looking for antibodies in your blood.

Varicella zoster virus tests detect either antibodies produced by the immune system in response to a vzv infection or detect the virus itself. Antibodies are proteins that your body makes due to infections and can be detected by laboratory tests. If elevated white blood cells are observed your doctor may test your blood for antibodies to the herpes zoster virus. The centers for disease control and prevention cdc cannot attest to the accuracy of a non federal website.

Pcr can be used to detect vzv dna rapidly and sensitively and is now widely available. Varicella zoster virus tests detect either antibodies produced by the immune system in response to a vzv infection or detect the virus itself. Tests for chickenpox and shingles may be performed to detect and diagnose a current or past infection with vzv. Shingles is usually diagnosed based on the history of pain on one side of your body along with the telltale rash and blisters.

Your healthcare provider will be able to tell if you have shingles by. Tests for chickenpox and shingles may be performed to detect and diagnose a current or past infection with vzv. Polymerase chain reaction pcr is the most useful test for confirming cases of suspected zoster sine herpete herpes zoster type pain that occurs without a rash. Linking to a non federal website does not constitute an endorsement by cdc or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

When you re exposed to varicella zoster your immune system makes proteins to fight it.