Well typically there is some kind of accompanying rash that they can culture but with mine there was no rash. It was by process of elimination. I did have my doc run blood tests for the varicella virus IGM, IGG and HSV1 and 2. My antibodies were high and based on my symptoms of feeling fluish they tried me on an antiviral med and I felt immensley better.

You can also try to se an ENT and describe your symptoms and ask him about Ramsay Hunt sydrome.

Or there is a supplement called l-lysine that you can try. If it makes you feel better then its likley you have a herpes zoster infection. (and dont worry its not always the sexual kind of herpes we are talking bout here)

Try up to 1000mg of lysine. You can safely go up to 2000 a day.