Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) Test In Delhi - Price & Details

The VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test is a blood test commonly used to screen for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Your doctor may recommend a VDRL test if you are experiencing symptoms linked to syphilis, such as painless sores, skin rashes, or swollen lymph nodes. It may also be advised if you have been exposed to an infected person, need routine STI screening, or are undergoing testing during pregnancy. The VDRL test detects protective proteins (or antibodies) produced by your body in response to the syphilis infection, rather than detecting the microorganism itself. It helps healthcare providers assess the possibility of syphilis and can also be used to monitor how well treatment is working. The procedure for testing using the VDRL test is simple and quick, requiring only a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. No fasting or special preparation is typically needed before the test. Since the VDRL test is a screening test, positive results may require additional confirmatory tests. Your doctor will interpret the results along with your symptoms, medical history, and other relevant findings.

The test may be advised if you have symptoms, such as:

• Small, painless open sore or ulcer (called a chancre) on the genitals, mouth, skin, or rectum that heals by itself in 3 to 6 weeks, along with enlarged lymph nodes in the area of the sore; suggestive of primary syphilis.
• Skin rash, sores called mucous patches in or around the mouth, vagina, or penis, moist, warty patches, fever, general ill feeling, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, vision changes, and hair loss; suggestive of secondary syphilis.
• Heart muscle damage, neurological symptoms, or masses of dead inflamed tissue in skin, bones, or liver, which may occur in tertiary syphilis.

This test may also be advised for:

• Pregnant women, as routine syphilis screening during early prenatal care helps reduce the risk of complications that can affect the baby. Early diagnosis and treatment are important.
• Individuals with new or multiple sexual partners, or those who have had unprotected sexual contact.
• Individuals diagnosed with other STIs, such as HIV, chlamydia, or gonorrhoea, as these conditions can sometimes occur together.
• To monitoring response to syphilis treatment, as antibody levels are expected to decrease following successful treatment.

The frequency of the VDRL test depends on individual circumstances such as being at high-risk for contracting syphilis, whether you are pregnant, or whether you have already contracted the disease.

• Primary syphilis – The earliest stage of syphilis infection that typically develops after exposure, usually characterised by the appearance of a single painless sore (chancre) at the site where the bacteria entered the body.
• Secondary syphilis – Infection spreads throughout the body.
• Latent syphilis – Infection remains in the body without noticeable symptoms.
• Tertiary syphilis – An advanced stage that can affect organs such as the heart, brain, nerves, and eyes if left untreated.
• Congenital syphilis – Syphilis passed from the mother to the baby during pregnancy.

Important note: A positive VDRL result must always be confirmed with a treponemal test before a diagnosis of syphilis is made. Always share your results with a medical professional.

What to Expect Before the VDRL Test?

• You can eat and drink normally before the test.
• Let your physician know about medications you are taking, recent vaccinations, if you are pregnant, or have conditions, such as autoimmune disorders or other STIs, as these may affect the VDRL results.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection?

This test involves a blood draw for a sample. A phlebotomist will insert an intravenous (IV) needle into a vein (usually a vein in your arm) and fill up one or more test tubes with blood. A slight sting may be felt when the needle is inserted and removed.

What to Expect After the VDRL Test?

Mild throbbing at the site may be felt after the blood is drawn, which will pass in a few moments. Once the sample is analysed in the laboratory, the test reports will be uploaded to the PharmEasy platform after review by a medical practitioner. The report can be downloaded to your device from the comfort of your home.

Note: If you notice anything unusual at the puncture site, such as persistent bleeding, a rash, or pain, consult your healthcare provider.

• VDRL antibody screening: Detects the presence of proteins called antibodies. The immune system makes these antibodies to fight infections. The antibodies to the bacteria that cause syphilis stay in the body for years. So a VDRL test can be used to find a current or past infection.

The primary marker evaluated is the presence of reactive antibodies in your blood sample.

Important note: A reactive VDRL result does not prove syphilis; it must always be followed up with a confirmatory treponemal test. Always consult your doctor for interpretation.

Potential Risks and Complications

• Minor risks involved with a blood draw may occasionally occur, such as mild pain, slight bleeding, bruising, dizziness, or light-headedness. Rarely, vein access may be difficult.
• Medical attention should be sought if persistent bleeding, swelling, redness, or severe pain develops.

Understanding VDRL Test Limitations

• The ability of the VDRL test to detect syphilis can vary depending on the stage of the infection. It is generally more effective during the secondary and latent stages and may be less sensitive during very early or advanced stages.
• As the VDRL test is used for screening, a reactive result may need further confirmatory testing to establish an accurate diagnosis.
• The VDRL test alone cannot determine whether the infection is currently active, infectious, or in a non-infectious stage.
• Certain medical conditions, including HIV, hepatitis C, Lyme disease, malaria, some forms of pneumonia, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and other autoimmune disorders, may occasionally cause false-positive results.
• Result interpretation and reference values can vary slightly between laboratories. Your healthcare provider will review the findings along with your symptoms, medical history, and any additional test results.

If your VDRL test result is reactive or positive, your doctor may advise additional confirmatory tests such as TPHA (treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay) or FTA-ABS (fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption) testing. These tests are more specific for syphilis and help confirm the diagnosis, minimise the possibility of false-positive results, and guide appropriate treatment decisions.

You can book VDRL Test in Delhi through PharmEasy with convenient home sample collection across several localities, including :

• Dwarka
• Vasant Kunj
• Saket
• Chhattarpur
• Greater Kailash
• Lajpat Nagar
• South Extension
• East of Kailash
• Green Park
• Janakpuri
• Rajouri Garden
• Paschim Vihar
• Punjabi Bagh
• Rohini
• Pitampura
• Preet Vihar
• Mayur Vihar
• Karol Bagh
• Connaught Place
• Civil Lines

You can also check service availability during purchase by entering your pincode.