A blood test is available to test immunity in persons who are uncertain of their history or who have not had chickenpox. Many of these persons will find that they are immune when tested and thus will not need to be vaccinated. (Source: excerpt from Facts About Chickenpox (Varicella): CDC-OC)
The following medical news items are relevant to diagnosis and misdiagnosis issues for Chickenpox:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about diagnostis of Chickenpox.
Diagnosis of herpes zoster usually isn’t possible until the characteristic skin lesions develop. Before then, the pain may mimic that of appendicitis, pleurisy, or other conditions. Individuals who are susceptible to varicella may develop a varicella infection following exposure to patients with zoster. Examination of vesicular fluid and infected tissue shows eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions and varicella virus. Also, a lumbar puncture shows increased pressure; examination of cerebrospinal fluid shows increased protein levels and, possibly, pleocytosis. Differentiation of herpes zoster from localized herpes simplex requires staining antibodies from vesicular fluid and identification under fluorescent light.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Diagnosis rests on the characteristic clinical signs and usually doesn’t require laboratory tests. However, the virus can be isolated from vesicular fluid within the first 3 or 4 days of the rash; Giemsa stain distinguishes varicella-zoster from vaccinia and variola viruses. Serum contains antibodies 7 days after onset.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
A positive diagnosis of herpes zoster usually isn’t possible until the characteristic skin lesions develop. Before then, the pain may mimic that of appendicitis, pleurisy, or other conditions. Diagnostic test results include the following:
❑ Examination of vesicular fluid and infected tissue shows eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions and varicella virus.
❑ Lumbar puncture shows increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure; examination of CSF shows increased protein levels and, possibly, pleocytosis.
❑ Staining antibodies from vesicular fluid and identification under fluorescent light differentiate herpes zoster from localized herpes simplex.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Varicella is diagnosed by characteristic clinical signs and usually doesn’t require laboratory tests. However, the virus can be isolated from vesicular fluid within the first 3 to 4 days of the rash. Serum contains antibodies 7 days after onset.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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