PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Candice N. Holmes
AU  - Karl T. Iglar
AU  - Brenda J. McDowell
AU  - Richard H. Glazier
TI  - Predictive value of a self-reported history of varicella infection in determining immunity in adults
AID  - 10.1503/cmaj.1031597
DP  - 2004 Nov 09
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 1195--1196
VI  - 171
IP  - 10
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/171/10/1195.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/171/10/1195.full
SO  - CMAJ2004 Nov 09; 171
AB  - THE RECENT INTRODUCTION OF A VACCINE FOR VARICELLA has raised questions about whether, for adults, a patient's history of varicella infection is useful in determining if vaccination is necessary. We report findings on 184 family medicine patients aged 18 to 65 years who were asked if they had a history of varicella infection and were subsequently tested for varicella antibodies. A history of infection was positive for 114 (62%) of the participants and negative or uncertain for 70 (38%). All 114 subjects who reported a varicella infection history were immune. All 4 subjects who were not immune reported an uncertain or negative infection history. Except for people who are at increased risk of varicella infection or complications from infection, serologic testing may not be required for adults in the general population who have a history of varicella infection.