Test To Confirm Shingles

Doctors use two types of tests to diagnose chickenpox or shingles.

Test to confirm shingles.

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. Shingles is usually diagnosed based on the history of pain on one side of your body along with the telltale rash and blisters. Tests for chickenpox and shingles may be performed to detect and diagnose a current or past infection with vzv. The centers for disease control and prevention cdc cannot attest to the accuracy of a non federal website.

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. Tests are rarely needed but may include taking a skin sample to see if the skin is infected with the virus that causes shingles. When you re exposed to varicella zoster virus your body makes antibodies to defend itself. If elevated white blood cells are observed your doctor may test your blood for antibodies to the herpes zoster virus.

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. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the cdc website. Your doctor may also take a tissue scraping or culture of the blisters for examination in the laboratory. Pcr can be used to detect vzv dna rapidly and sensitively and is now widely available.

Antibodies are proteins that your body makes due to infections and can be detected by laboratory tests. 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. When you re exposed to varicella zoster your immune system makes proteins to fight it. Your healthcare provider will be able to tell if you have shingles by.

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