What Is Shingles?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
8. Diagnosis
Once the rash appears, a differential diagnosis should be made visually. Herpes simplex virus and the varicella zoster virus can produce a similar rash. If the patient had chickenpox, the condition is most probably shingles. However, a smear test may be done for confirmation of the condition, especially if it is acute.
VZV-specific IgM antibody in blood is the most common laboratory test done to confirm shingles. These antibodies appear only when the virus is active, and either chickenpox or shingles is present. Other tests such as PCR and VZV DNA analysis are also available, although they are not usually done.
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