Varicella Titer

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Varicella Titer

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The varicella titer, also known as a chickenpox titer, is an IgG blood test that checks for immunity to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

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Varicella / Chickenpox Titer - Overview

The varicella titer, also known as a chickenpox titer or VZV IgG test, measures antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus. A positive result on this assay is commonly accepted as evidence of immunity by employers, schools, and vendor-credentialing platforms. Through Accesa Labs, people can order a varicella titer online, get tested at a local lab, and get results electronically, typically in a few business days. No insurance or subscription is required.

Who Gets a Varicella Titer?

The varicella titer is ordered by a wide range of people who need to demonstrate chickenpox immunity for compliance, employment, education, or personal health purposes, including:

  • Nurses, students, and other clinical staff often need it before placement
  • Device and pharmaceutical representatives often need it for compliance with vendor-credentialing platforms
  • College and health-program students with incomplete records may need it to show proof of immunity
  • Adults who do not know if they have had the chickenpox or two vaccine doses may want it to know their immunity status
  • Women planning pregnancy often get it to know their immune status before conceiving
  • People traveling to at-risk regions who are unsure of their varicella immunity

Often, this test is ordered with other titer tests, including the hepatitis B titer and MMR titer, as well as with the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus test. These tests are all available together in the Credentialing Panel.

Get a Varicella Titer Online

Add the test to your cart and checkout. Get your blood drawn at a nearby lab and get notified electronically when your results are available for download. No health insurance or subscription is required and there are no hidden costs.

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Varicella Titer - Test Information

Varicella is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), a member of the herpesvirus group, and is a highly contagious infection that spreads through infected droplets. Chickenpox typically incubates for 10-21 days. New blisters, pregnancy exposure, or illness in a newborn or immunocompromised person needs clinical care, not only a titer.

Varicella immunity comes from having varicella IgG antibodies in your blood produced by your immune system. Many people are considered immune to varicella because they received the varicella immunization series as part of their routine vaccines or because they have had a chickenpox infection in the past - particularly before the varicella vaccine was used routinely. If you are exposed to varicella and are immune, these varicella antibodies are thought to fight off the varicella virus.

Varicella Titer Results - Interpretation

Through Accesa Labs, varicella titer results will come back in a quantitative form (i.e. a number) which represents the varicella immunoglobulin G antibody level. The number can be compared to the reference range of the lab assay.

The interpretation on the report depends on the lab selected. Some lab results will say and interpreted as positive, equivocal or negative. A positive result is typically interpreted as consistent with varicella immunity - no additional vaccination required. Negative results are typically interpreted as no immunity - vaccination required. Equivocal results are thought of as indeterminate and people can choose whether to retest to confirm the result or just get vaccinated with the two-dose varicella vaccine series.

Other lab results will say Reactive or Non-reactive. Reactive is equivalent to a positive result - no additional vaccination required. Non-reactive is equivalent to a negative result - vaccination required.

Some people have been observed to have persistently low varicella antibodies in spite of some evidence of possible cell-mediated varicella immunity.

Varicella - Symptoms and Vaccination

The varicella vaccine is a weakened live version of the actual varicella-zoster virus. The varicella vaccine is given as part of routine vaccine schedules in the US and is thought to prevent most disease. The vaccine gives the recipient a very mild form of the chickenpox (usually without symptoms) and this serves as a way to expose the immune system to the infection. From this mild vaccine-induced illness, the immune system can develop and store a memory of the varicella-zoster virus and, if exposed in the future, can mount a powerful antibody response to protect the body. While chickenpox infections have decreased in the United States, likely due to routine vaccination, there are still large numbers of cases worldwide. In 2015, 6,400 deaths occurred from the chickenpox.

How to Get a Varicella Titer with Accesa Labs

  1. Add the varicella titer to the cart and choose a nearby lab.
  2. Get blood drawn. Visits are often 15-30 minutes and appointments can be scheduled.
  3. Get notified by email that your results are available for download as a quantitative IgG index. Sometimes available in a few business days.
  4. If the result is negative and you have no vaccination records, arrange for a vaccination. If you already have the record, give the report and the record to the school or employer.

No health insurance is required.

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Varicella Titer - Resource

CDC - Varicella

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What is a varicella titer?
A varicella titer, also known as a chickenpox titer or VZV IgG test, is a blood test that measures the level of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) IgG antibodies in the blood. The presence of these antibodies at a sufficient level indicates immunity to chickenpox. This test is used by healthcare employers, schools, universities, and vendor credentialing platforms to confirm that an individual is immune to varicella before they work or study in a healthcare or educational setting.
Why is a varicella titer important?
A varicella titer is used because it provides evidence of immunity to chickenpox. Healthcare workers and students are at an elevated risk of exposure to varicella-zoster virus and are typically required to confirm immunity before entering a clinical setting. A susceptible person without immunity who is exposed to varicella could contract chickenpox and transmit it to vulnerable patients and cause serious complications.
Who typically gets this varicella blood test?
The varicella titer is most commonly ordered by healthcare workers, nursing and allied health students, and medical device and pharmaceutical sales representatives who need vendor credentialing compliance. This test is also ordered by college and university students with enrollment health requirements, women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy, and individuals who are unsure of their vaccination or infection history.
What do varicella titer results mean?
Varicella titer results are reported as a quantitative index value. Different antibody levels correspond with different immunity states. A negative or equivocal result generally means that revaccination with the two-dose varicella vaccine series is recommended. A positive result is typically accepted as proof of immunity by healthcare employers, schools, and credentialing platforms.
What does a negative varicella titer result mean?
A negative varicella titer result means that the blood test did not detect varicella IgG antibodies at a level consistent with immunity. This can occur in people who have never had chickenpox or have not been vaccinated. It can also occur in people who received only one dose of the varicella vaccine or whose vaccine-induced antibody levels have waned over time. A negative result typically means that the two-dose varicella vaccine series is recommended before beginning work or study in a healthcare setting.
What does an equivocal varicella titer result mean?
An equivocal varicella titer result means the test was unable to clearly confirm or rule out immunity. For most compliance purposes, an equivocal result is treated as being negative. Varicella vaccination is typically the next step although some individuals choose to retest to confirm the result before proceeding with vaccination. A medical provider or occupational health office can advise on the best course of action based on the specific requirements of the employer or school.
Will I test positive if I was vaccinated for chickenpox?
Most people who received varicella vaccine series will test positive on a varicella titer. However, vaccine-induced antibody levels are sometimes lower than those produced by a natural chickenpox infection and it is possible for a vaccinated individual to test equivocal or even negative on a quantitative varicella IgG titer. An equivocal or negative result after vaccination does not necessarily mean the vaccine did not work as some individuals maintain cell-mediated immunity to VZV even when IgG antibody levels are low.
Does having shingles affect my varicella titer result?
A prior shingles episode typically boosts varicella IgG antibody levels since shingles is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. As a result, individuals who have had shingles in the past will generally test positive on a varicella titer. A recent Shingrix (shingles) vaccination does not typically affect varicella IgG titer results in a way that would interfere with immunity documentation. The varicella titer is used to assess immunity to chickenpox specifically and is not used to evaluate shingles risk or the need for the Shingrix vaccine.
Is a varicella titer the same as a varicella vaccine record?
No. A varicella titer is a blood test that measures antibody levels in the blood. A varicella vaccine record is documentation that a person received the varicella vaccine at some point in the past. Having a vaccine record does not guarantee that sufficient immunity is present because antibody levels can wane over time and some individuals never produce a robust immune response after vaccination. Most healthcare employers, schools, and vendor credentialing platforms accept either a positive varicella titer result or documentation of two doses of the varicella vaccine as proof of immunity though requirements vary by organization.
What type of specimen will I submit?
This Varicella Titer is a blood test.
Do I need to fast to take this test?
Fasting is not necessary.
How long does it take to get test results?
It typically takes 4 business days or less.
Any other test codes/names?

Test Code(s): 4439, 096010

Other Test Name(s): Varicella Zoster Virus Antibody (IgG)

Varicella Blood Test - Results Overview

Here is a video discussing how to interpret varicella test results:

We hope you found this chickenpox lab test report review helpful.
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