Chickenpoxis typically easy to diagnose by a healthcare provider through a simple examination of the rash.
If there’s any uncertainty, it can be confirmed with lab testing.
Self-Checks/At-Home Testing
Just a few decades ago, thechickenpoxwas an incredibly common illness.
© Verywell, 2018
Nearly everyone came down with it at some point during childhood.
Because it was so common, most people were familiar with what chickenpox looked like and often diagnosed themselves.
Changes With the Vaccine
Since the introduction of the vaccine, most children today will never get the chickenpox.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
You’ve likely never seen a chickenpox rash before.
Being unfamiliar with the rash makes it difficult to self-diagnose.
Your healthcare provider can diagnose it by simplylooking at the rash.
Many offices, especially pediatric offices, have a specific protocol to limit exposing others to the virus.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
When Additional Testing Is Needed
When would your healthcare provider opt for additional testing?
There are a few cases.
In these cases, your healthcare provider may perform the following tests.
A small amount of blood is drawn and sent to a lab to check for varicella-zoster virus antibodies.
The varicella-zoster virus is the virus that causes chickenpox.
Viral Culture
Sometimes aviral cultureis done instead of a blood test.
After a period of time, it’s checked for the varicella-zoster virus.
With a viral culture, the results may not come back until the virus has already run its course.
Differential Diagnoses
There are other things that cause a raised, itchy red rash or skin blisters.
Thevaricella zoster viruscauses chickenpox.
It may also, later in life, re-emerge as shingles.
A blood test is often used to identify the presence of varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox (Varicella): Signs and Symptoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox (Varicella): Vaccination.
2018;22(3):162167. doi:10.4103/ijccm.IJCCM_495_17
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox (Varicella).
