There was a time not so long ago that chickenpox and shingles were common illnesses that people were forced to suffer through. Caused by the varicella zoster virus, often called VZV, there is now a vaccine available to prevent outbreaks. This means general screening blood tests are not completed for the general population. The varicella titer blood test may be ordered for specific health issues, however, to ensure healthcare needs are properly managed.
The most common populations to have the varicella titer blood test ordered are the following.
1. Patients who have been advised that they will need organ transplantation.
2. Individuals who have HIV or AIDS infections within their household or close family members.
3. Women who are pregnant or newborns.
Anyone with an immune system that has become compromised for some reason will have this test ordered if they suspect that they have been exposed to someone with chickenpox. There is less risk of transmission with shingles, however, so testing may only occur if there was broken skin contact with a possible shingles vesicle, or blister.
Titers Check For Immunities
The results of the varicella titer blood test will help to determine if there is a personal immunity to VZV. If someone tests positive for these antibodies, then it is an indication that they have either had an outbreak of the disease or have received a vaccination against it. When titers are positive, then an individual has an adequate level of immunity against the varicella zoster virus. If the titers are negative, then a vaccination or other treatment option may be ordered.
There are two different types of immunity that a person may have which the varicella titer blood test will be able to document. The first is an active immunity where the body is producing antibodies to provide a cellular level of protection that can last for at least several years. For some people, an active immunity may last for a lifetime. Active immunities are often created because someone has survived an infection or they were vaccinated against the disease.
The second type of immunity, referred to as passive immunity, develops when someone becomes immune from VZV because it was transferred to them from someone else. This often happens when immunities pass from mother to child, but someone receiving a blood transfusion may also receive these immunities. These protections are unlike active immunities, however, because they only offer a temporary form of protection.
Is VZV Contagious?
VZV is a member of the herpes family of viruses, so it can be passed from person to person. Chickenpox is the most contagious method of transmission when a flare-up of this virus occurs, but shingles is also contagious. People may have active virus contained within their vesicles that may be transmitted if fluid to fluid contact should occur.
Shingles doesn’t create another case of shingles, however, should the virus transfer from person to person. If someone has never been infected with VZV before and they receive the virus from someone who has shingles, then they could get chickenpox.
VZV infections happen all over the world, but the outbreak does not generally leave scars. Chickenpox scars may occur with consistent itching because of bacteria that can get left in the open blister, but that still tends to be the exception to the rule instead of what happens to most people.
Here’s What You Need to Know
For most individuals, the varicella titer blood test is something that will be ordered to discover immunity status. It may be required of children before starting public school to verify immunization status, but is most often ordered only when an immune system has been compromised or is expected to be for some reason. Most people will not have this blood test ordered for them.
For those that do have it ordered, the concern is that VZV could lead to a rare cause of virus-caused encephalitis. The virus may also have a prolonged outbreak period for those who have reduced immune responses. A positive result is a good thing because it shows some level of immunity. A negative result simply lets medical providers know that a vaccination or other treatment method may be required to meet health needs.
You can know for sure if your test will be positive if you’ve had chickenpox in the past. If you’re not sure about your immunization status, however, then this blood test will give patients definitive proof about their VZV exposure.