Chickenpox screening
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Chickenpox Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Chickenpox screening On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Chickenpox screening |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aravind Reddy Kothagadi M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
Screening
- Screening for Chickenpox is done to determine whether if they have acquired an immunity to the disease.
- Screening aids in prevention as well as early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are recommended for people without current symptoms, but for those at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.
- Blood tests are done to measure the levels of antibodies in the blood which indicates whether the individual has developed an immunity to chickenpox from previous infection or a missed immunisation.
- Testing for VZV or for the antibodies produced in response to VZV infection may be performed in when required for screening purposes. Also, screening may be advised for newborns, pregnant women, prior to organ transplantation, and in those with HIV/AIDS.
- Laboratory tests are not routinely used to diagnose active cases of chickenpox and shingles, which are caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). Children are nowadays vaccinated and most adults generally may have been infected with VZV in their early years.Hence, general population screening is not done usually. Anyhow, testing for VZV or for the antibodies produced in response to VZV infection may be performed in when required for screening purposes.