Is there a test for shingles?

Usually shingles is identified by a rash. However it is a virus so may be a blood test would help.

Shingles for the house, or the virus that gives a person shingles?

Knowing if you have had 'chicken-pox' is helpful, but definitely get the "Zoster" shot (at Costco) if you are over 50......it is easy to avoid, but can be hell to endure the damage it does to your skin

No, as the commercial says "if you had chicken pox the shingles virus is already in you". I had the shingles twice before getting vaccine against it. If you suspect shingles see your doctor asap if caught really early 24 to 36 hrs after out break an antiviral might work.....stay away from children and pregnant women. Your doctor will know if it's shingles because shingles can be traced back to specific nerve root endings.

i've had the chicken pox- twice- thank you daycare....and yes there is a vaccine against shingles. well worth the poke.

If you get shot stay away from chemo patients too.

There is no test I know of. The doctors diagnose it my site. There is a shot for prevention.

If you need roof shingle testing, check this out.

There actually is a blood test for Herpes Zoster (ie shingles). But if you already have the rash, it's pretty easy to diagnose by site. Without an active case with rash, it's a bit harder to diagnose. I had shingles a few years ago -- I actually figured out myself what it was before I went to the doctor, so all he had to do was confirm it. He took a quick look at the rash, and confirmed my suspicions. He prescribed an anti-viral and pain medication and I was fine pretty quickly. Anti-virals are key to getting rid of it fast, since it can last for a month or more. I had a pretty mild case, and though it can re-occur, so far I haven't experienced any further outbreaks. I'm glad for that -- it's painful ! Plenty of info on shingles on the web -- I like to use WebMD, I feel their info is reliable, or do a google search. You'll also find info on the vaccine. Hope that helps, and hope you feel better fast ! Good Luck !

I got shingles and got the anti-viral quickly and was fine in a few days. A friend of mine got the vaccine and her doctor didn't consider shingles for many days because of the vaccine. She ended up with an extremely bad case, was hospitalized and got so weak she then had to go to a rehab

facility for weeks. I refuse to get the vaccine. I preferred my case of shingles to hers!

I've never seen an Urgent Car Center worth my co-pay, every time one my family has used one all they did was tell us to see our PCP tomorrow and twice referred us to the hospital's ER. Honestly I have zero idea what Urgent Care Centers are good for.

p.s. my three out breaks (1 outbreak + 2 outbreaks at once [very unusual] equals twice) were definitely shingles......and I swear I don't understand how any doctor could confuse a bug bite with shingles.