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

The venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test is a blood test used to screen for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum. It is commonly recommended for people with symptoms of syphilis, those who may have been exposed to the infection, or individuals at a higher risk of acquiring or transmitting it. The test is also routinely performed during pregnancy to help detect syphilis early and reduce the risk of passing the infection to the baby. The VDRL test works by detecting antibodies produced by the body’s immune system in response to a syphilis infection rather than detecting the bacteria itself. As it is a screening test, a reactive result usually needs to be confirmed with a more specific test, such as TPHA or FTA-ABS. In addition to helping diagnose syphilis, the VDRL test may also be used to monitor how well treatment is working. The test requires only a blood sample and usually does not require fasting or any special preparation.

Your doctor may recommend a VDRL test if you:

• Have symptoms of syphilis, such as a painless sore, a rash on the palms or soles, or swollen lymph nodes.
• Have had sexual contact with someone who has syphilis or think you may have been exposed to the infection.
• Are at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including having multiple sexual partners, a new sexual partner, or having unprotected sex.
• Are pregnant, as syphilis screening is routinely recommended during pregnancy to help protect both the mother and the baby.
• Have another STI, including HIV.
• Are taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), as regular syphilis screening is recommended.
• Are a sexually active person living in an area with a high rate of syphilis, where routine screening may be advised.
• Need follow-up after treatment for syphilis, to monitor your response to treatment and ensure antibody levels are decreasing.
• Require syphilis screening as part of a medical evaluation, such as before blood donation, certain surgical procedures, employment in certain sectors, employment overseas, before marriage, or when advised by your doctor.

Early testing and treatment can prevent serious complications and reduce the spread of syphilis.

Testing frequency depends largely on individual risk factors and clinical circumstances:

• Syphilis (primary use): The VDRL test primarily screens for antibodies linked to syphilis, an infection caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum. It can indicate infection across different stages, including primary, secondary, and latent syphilis. VDRL can be reactive in tertiary syphilis, but it is less sensitive at this stage.
• Congenital syphilis: In newborns, the test can help detect infection passed from mother to child during pregnancy, particularly when maternal screening was reactive.
• Yaws and other treponemal conditions: Since the test detects non-specific antibodies rather than the syphilis bacterium itself, it may also react to related treponemal infections such as yaws or pinta, which are caused by similar bacteria.

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

• Fasting is not required. You can eat and drink normally before the test.
• Inform your doctor about any recent illness, vaccination, pregnancy, or medicines you are taking, including antibiotics or penicillin. According to the CDC syphilis treatment guidelines, conditions such as pregnancy, autoimmune diseases (such as lupus), HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, malaria, older age, recent vaccinations, and injection drug use can sometimes affect VDRL test results. Sharing this information helps your doctor interpret your report correctly.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing to make it easier to collect the blood sample from your arm.
• Tell the phlebotomist if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medicines before the blood sample is collected.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection

• Before the blood draw, the phlebotomist cleans the collection site, typically the inner elbow, with an antiseptic swab to reduce infection risk. A tourniquet is then wrapped around the upper arm, and the phlebotomist may gently tap the vein to help it become more visible and easier to access. You may be asked to clench your fist gently and hold your arm steady throughout.
• A sterile needle is inserted into the vein to draw the sample, and you might feel a quick pinprick or mild sting at that moment. Once blood begins flowing into the collection tube, you can relax your hand.
• After collecting the necessary amount, the phlebotomist withdraws the needle and applies gentle pressure to the site to control bleeding. A small bandage is then placed over the area to complete the process.

What to Expect After the VDRL Test

• You can resume normal activities right away, as there are no restrictions following the procedure. Mild soreness or slight bruising at the puncture site is common and usually fades within a day.
• Reports are typically ready within 24 hours. If the result comes back reactive, the doctor will likely recommend confirmatory testing, such as TPHA or FTA-ABS, before finalising a diagnosis and starting treatment if needed.

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 antibodies, which are protective proteins produced by your immune system in response to infection. Since antibodies associated with syphilis can remain in the body for an extended period, the test may help indicate a current or previous 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

• The VDRL blood test is generally safe, with minimal associated risk. At the draw site, you might notice a brief pinprick sensation, mild pain, tenderness, or slight bruising, all of which typically settle within a few days.
• Some people feel light-headed or faint during or shortly after the sample is taken. Infection at the puncture site is also possible, though uncommon.
• In rare cases, excessive bleeding can occur, particularly among those on blood-thinning medication or with underlying bleeding disorders. A haematoma, a small pool of blood beneath the skin causing a raised bruise, may also develop occasionally at the injection site.
• These effects are generally mild and temporary, resolving on their own without specific treatment.

Understanding VDRL Test Limitations

• Since the VDRL test detects reagin antibodies rather than the syphilis bacterium itself, reactive results need confirmation via TPHA or FTA-ABS.
• False positives can stem from unrelated conditions such as pregnancy, lupus, HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, or malaria.
• False negatives may occur early in infection, before antibodies build up, or in late-stage syphilis, as antibody levels naturally decline. Rarely, very high antibody concentrations trigger a false-negative results through the prozone effect.
• Cross-reactivity with yaws or pinta can make these infections hard to distinguish from syphilis without further testing.
• Lab-to-lab differences in reference ranges may also affect result interpretation.

Since the VDRL test is a screening test, if the result is reactive or positive, your doctor may advise additional confirmatory tests such as:

• TPHA (treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay).
• FTA-ABS (fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption) testing.

The VDRL test is available at a price of INR 249 in Jaipur.

Refer to the table below to compare the cost of the VDRL test across different cities.

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

• Vaishali Nagar
• Malviya Nagar
• Mansarovar
• C-Scheme
• Raja Park
• Bani Park
• Durgapura
• Gandhi Nagar
• Ajmer Road
• Sodala
• Shyam Nagar
• Jamdoli
• Amer
• Gopalpura
• Jhotwara
• Vidyadhar Nagar
• Kalwar Road
• Pratap Nagar
• Sitapura
• Sanganer

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