Varicella Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

Varicella  

Other skin eruptions that may be confused with varicella zoster virus infection include:

• Viral exanthems
• Impetigo
• Insect bites
• Scabies
• Erythema multiforme 
• Papular urticaria
• Drug eruption
• Hand-foot-mouth disease
• Disseminated herpes zoster
• Other vesicular dermatoses with the same diffused rash typical of varicella

Herpes Zoster  

Pain experienced with herpes zoster is often misdiagnosed as the following:

• Myocardial infarction
• Pleurisy
• Cholecystitis
• Appendicitis
• Duodenal ulcer
• Ovarian cyst
• Herniated intervertebral disc
• Thrombophlebitis
• Renal or biliary colic
• Zoster sine herpete (dermatomal pain with positive serologic and virologic evidence but without rash)

Zoster rash may be confused with the following:

• Impetigo
• Contact dermatitis
• Folliculitis
• Scabies
• Insect bites
• Urticaria
• Candidal infection
• Dermatitis herpetiformis
• Eczema herpeticum
• Drug eruptions