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

The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test is a blood test used to help screen for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. In the early stages of infection, symptoms such as painless sores, skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes, and flu-like symptoms may occur. These can often disappear on their own even without treatment. However, the infection may still remain in the body, and some individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms for a long time, potentially leading to unintentional transmission to others. If syphilis is not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can progress and affect important organs, including the brain, heart, eyes, and nervous system.

The VDRL test detects protective proteins (also known as antibodies) produced by the body’s immune system in response to syphilis infection. Doctors may recommend this test if you have been exposed to syphilis, have symptoms suggestive of infection, are at a higher risk of exposure, are pregnant, or are undergoing treatment monitoring for syphilis. The VDRL test involves a simple blood sample collection and usually does not require fasting or special preparation, and it can be performed at any time of the day. Since the VDRL test is a screening test, your doctor may advise additional confirmatory tests if the results are reactive or positive. Syphilis is highly treatable when detected early, making timely diagnosis and treatment important for recovery and reducing the risk of transmission.

• Your doctor may recommend you to get the VDRL test done if you have symptoms such as painless sores or ulcers on the genitals, mouth, skin, or anus, swollen lymph nodes near the sore, non-itchy rashes all over the body, wart-like growths, fever, unexplained tiredness, loss of appetite, aching muscles and joints, enlarged lymph nodes, vision problems, or alopecia. Sometimes, if you have certain complications involving the heart, nervous system, eyes, liver, or other organs suggestive of advanced stages of syphilis, you may require the VDRL test.

The VDRL test may also be advised if :

• You are pregnant. Syphilis can be transmitted to the foetus from an infected mother and it can cause severe complications in the fetus. Hence, doctors may routinely test for syphilis in the first prenatal check-up for all pregnant women. The VDRL test may also be advised in the third trimester in high-risk cases.
• You had sexual contact with someone already diagnosed with syphilis.
• You have new or multiple sexual partners, have had unprotected sexual contact, or were involved in similar high risk situations.
• You have been diagnosed with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV, chlamydia, or gonorrhoea, as these infections may sometimes occur along with syphilis.
• You are under treatment for syphilis. Your doctor may advise this test to monitor the progress of antibiotic treatment, as antibody levels typically decline after treatment.

The frequency of VDRL testing varies depending on your individual situation and circumstances:

• For pregnant women, once at the first prenatal visit, and in high-risk cases, once at the third trimester.
• Individuals with ongoing exposure risk or those who may be at an increased likelihood of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be advised to undergo testing every 3 to 6 months, or as recommended by their healthcare provider.
• For those who have been treated for syphilis, VDRL testing may be recommended at 3, 6, and 12 months to check for treatment response and recovery progress, as antibodies in the body typically reduce following successful treatment.

• 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 and flu-like symptoms.
• 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?

• Fasting is not necessary for this test and it 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?

• A phlebotomist will arrive at your home for the blood sample collection.
• An elastic band will be placed around your arm, and you may be asked to make a fist. Using a sterile needle, a small blood sample will be drawn from a vein in your arm. You may be advised to apply mild pressure at the blood draw site using a cotton swab.
• The procedure usually takes only a few minutes.

What to Expect After the VDRL Test?

Mild throbbing at the site may be felt after the blood is drawn. If you feel faint, you may lie down for a while. The sample will be sent to the lab to be analysed. Your test results should be available within a few hours, which you can access from the online PharmEasy platform.

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 test is generally safe.
• Minor risks involved with a blood draw may occasionally occur, such as mild pain, slight bleeding, bruising, dizziness, or light-headedness. Sometimes, vein access may be difficult.

Understanding VDRL Test Limitations

• Because of negligible amounts of antibodies present during the initial and late stages of the disease, the VDRL test may be less sensitive during these stages. The VDRL test is more reliable in the secondary and latent stages of syphilis.
• The VDRL test is a screening test. Further testing may be required for confirmation of syphilis.
• The VDRL test cannot determine if the disease is in its infectious stage or not, hence cannot suggest if the disease has been transmitted.
• False-positive results: 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 reactive results even in the absence of syphilis.
• 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 Mumbai, a VDRL test at PharmEasy is generally priced around INR 249. The cost can vary depending on factors such as the diagnostic provider and local pricing trends. For a better understanding, you can compare VDRL test prices across major cities in India.

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

• Andheri
• Bandra
• Khar
• Sion
• Matunga
• Juhu
• Goregaon
• Malad
• Kandivali
• Borivali
• Churchgate
• Powai
• Ghatkopar
• Chembur
• Kurla
• Dadar
• Lower Parel
• Worli
• Mulund
• Vikhroli

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