Chickenpox Diagnosis

Due to the unique appearance of its rash, chickenpox is often diagnosed¹⁵ simply by looking at the lesions. A healthcare provider may also ask when you think you may have been exposed to chickenpox if you have a rash that resembles the chickenpox rash.

During a physical exam, your healthcare provider may check all areas of your body for the rash. Chickenpox rashes usually appear first¹⁶ on the chest, back, and face before spreading to other areas of the body.

If your healthcare provider is unsure whether your rash is caused by chickenpox or by another skin condition, they may perform a swab or sampling¹⁷ of the blister to test in a laboratory setting. Your sample can then be compared to known samples of varicella zoster to confirm the identity of the virus.