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

The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test is a blood-based screening test used to help detect syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis can present with early symptoms such as painless sores, skin rashes, and other physical changes. However, some individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms for long periods after that, allowing the infection to remain undetected. If detected early, syphilis is easily treatable. However, if it is not diagnosed and treated in time, syphilis may progress and potentially affect important organs, including the brain, heart, eyes, and nervous system.

The VDRL test does not directly identify the bacteria responsible for the infection. Instead, it detects antibodies produced by the body’s immune system in response to syphilis. Doctors may recommend this test when symptoms suggest a possible infection, in individuals with higher exposure risk, during routine prenatal screening in pregnancy, or to assess treatment response after diagnosis. The test involves collecting a small blood sample from a vein in your arm and usually does not require fasting or any special preparation. As the VDRL test is a screening test, reactive results may need further confirmatory testing. Your doctor will evaluate the results together with your symptoms, medical history, and other clinical findings.

Your healthcare provider may advise you to get the VDRL test if you have symptoms or signs that could suggest syphilis, such as:

• Symptoms suggestive of primary syphilis: A painless sore or ulcer known as a chancre, on the genitals, mouth, skin, or anus that may heal on its own within a few weeks, accompanied by swollen lymph nodes near the chancre.
• Symptoms suggestive of secondary syphilis: Rashes all over the body that may be non-itchy, sores or patches in and around the mouth, vagina, or penis, wart-like growths, fever, unexplained tiredness, loss of appetite, aching muscles and joints, enlarged lymph nodes, vision problems, or alopecia.
• Symptoms suggestive of tertiary syphilis: More advanced complications involving the heart, nervous system, eyes, liver, or other organs.

The test may also be advised in the following circumstances:

• Routine prenatal screening for pregnant women can help reduce the risk of complications to the foetus. It may also be advised in the third trimester in high-risk cases.
• Those with new or multiple sexual partners, or those who have had unprotected sexual contact.
• Those diagnosed with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV, chlamydia, or gonorrhoea, as these infections may sometimes occur along with syphilis.
• To monitoring the progress of antibiotic treatment, as antibody levels typically decline after treatment.

Frequency of 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.

• Prenatal or pregnancy care: VDRL testing is commonly recommended during the first prenatal visit. In individuals considered at higher risk, repeat testing may also be advised during the third trimester.
• Individuals with multiple sexual partners or repeated STI exposure: Testing may be recommended every 3 to 6 months, or as advised by a healthcare provider based on risk factors and medical history.
• Monitoring treatment response: Following treatment for syphilis, repeat VDRL testing may be advised at approximately 3, 6, and 12 months to help assess treatment response and recovery progress.

• Primary syphilis: Occurs soon after contracting syphilis. A painless sore (chancre) develops at the site of infection.
• Secondary syphilis: Infection spreads throughout the body with the appearance of non-itchy rashes.
• 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 or childbirth.

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 may eat and drink normally, as fasting is not necessary for this test. This test may be done at any time of the day.
• Your doctor should be informed about all medicines you are on, any recent vaccination history, your pregnancy status, and if you have autoimmune disorders or other STIs, as these may affect the VDRL test results.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection?

• The VDRL test is a quick procedure that typically takes only a few minutes. During sample collection, a trained phlebotomist cleans the skin and draws a small blood sample from a vein, usually in the arm, using a sterile needle.
• Slight pain or a sting may be felt when the needle is inserted.

What to Expect After the VDRL Test

Mild throbbing at the site may be felt after the blood is drawn. If you feel dizzy, you may lie down for a while. Once the blood sample is collected, it is sent to a laboratory for analysis, where your blood is tested for syphilis antibodies.

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

Usually only mild discomfort is experienced during blood sample collection. You should contact your doctor if:

• There is continuous bleeding from the blood draw site despite applying gentle pressure.
• Significant redness, swelling, warmth, or persistent pain develops around the blood draw site.
• You feel faint for a long time after the blood sample collection.

Understanding VDRL Test Limitations

• The VDRL test may be less sensitive during initial or late stages of the disease. It is more reliable for screening in the secondary and latent stages of syphilis.
• The VDRL test is only used for screening for syphilis. Confirmatory tests may be advised depending on the results of the VDRL test.
• Additional tests and clinical examination are required to determine whether the infection is currently active, infectious, or in a non-infectious stage.
• Other conditions, such as HIV, hepatitis C, Lyme disease, malaria, some forms of pneumonia, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and other autoimmune disorders, may occasionally give positive results even in the absence of syphilis (false-positives).
• Reference values can vary slightly between different laboratories.

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.

In Kolkata, a VDRL test at PharmEasy is generally priced around INR 249. The cost can vary depending on factors such as the diagnostic lab and regional pricing differences. To compare and decide better, you can check VDRL test prices across major cities in India.

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

• Salt Lake
• New Town
• Rajarhat
• Dum Dum
• Lake Town
• Baguiati
• Park Street
• Ballygunge
• Bhowanipore
• Alipore
• Behala
• Tollygunge
• Jadavpur
• Garia
• Kalighat
• Kasba
• Kankurgachi
• Ruby
• Sealdah
• Shyambazar

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