Varicella Zoster (Chicken Pox) antibody test

What is Varicella Zoster (Chicken Pox) Antibody test? 

A varicella-zoster (chickenpox) antibody test is employed to check if you have antibodies against varicella-zoster virus - the causative agent of chickenpox in your blood.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection that can be contracted from direct contact with the patient or through sneezing or coughing. The disease manifests in the form of blister-like rashes within two days of coming in contact with the virus.

The first antibodies - IgM, show up in the blood, one to two week after the symptoms manifest. Another type of antibody - IgG - shows up after a few weeks and acts as a shield against the varicella virus for a long period of time. 

The relapse of the infection is highly unlikely since our body develops immunity to the virus and can fight against it when it is exposed again. A child whose mother had a chickenpox infection in the past or who was already vaccinated is less likely to contract an infection before he turns one year old. Even if he/she gets the infection, then the antibodies produced by the mother’s blood will help in protecting them. A varicella vaccine is given to children between the age of 12 and 15 months.

The varicella-zoster antibody test detects the presence of a recent infection. This test can also be performed to ascertain whether a person is immune to the virus from prior infection or by vaccination.

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