Medical Diagnosis Exams

Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) is a member of the human herpesvirus family (HHV-3) causing chicken pox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster). VZV infections are medically significant, causing approximately 4 million cases of varicella and 500,000 cases of zoster each year.

More than 90% of the population develops a varicella infection by the time they reach adolescence, and virtually 100% of the population will develop it until the age of 60. After the primary infection the virus remains dormant – upon reactivation patients develop shingles, with an increasing risk with age.

In immunosuppressed individuals VZV can cause severe and even fatal infections. Serologic tests are used to assess the serological status of an individual and areindicative for an acute or past infection.