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

The VDRL (venereal disease research laboratory) test is a simple blood test used to check for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum. Your doctor may recommend this test if you have symptoms such as painless sores, a rash, or swollen lymph nodes, if you have had unprotected sex or may have been exposed to syphilis, or if you are pregnant. It may also be done before certain surgeries or as part of a routine health check-up. The VDRL test does not detect the bacteria directly. Instead, it looks for antibodies that your body makes in response to the infection. Since it is a screening test, a reactive result does not always mean you have syphilis and may need to be confirmed with another test, such as TPHA or FTA-ABS. No fasting is needed for the test. Before your blood sample is taken, tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking, recent illnesses or vaccinations, and any health conditions. If you think you may have been exposed to syphilis or have symptoms, getting tested early can help you receive timely treatment and avoid serious health problems.

The VDRL test may be advised if you:

• Have symptoms of syphilis, such as a painless sore, rash, or swollen lymph nodes.
• Have had sexual contact with someone who has syphilis or think you may have been exposed.
• Are being tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
• Are pregnant, as syphilis screening is a routine part of antenatal care.
• Have a higher chance of getting an STI, such as having multiple sexual partners, a new partner, or having unprotected sex.
• Need a medical check-up before certain surgeries, jobs, or other health screenings where STI testing may be required.
• Have been treated for syphilis, so your doctor can check how well the treatment is working.

Getting tested early helps detect syphilis sooner, making treatment more effective and reducing the risk of spreading the infection.

• Sexually active adults: At least once a year, or sooner if you have a new sexual partner, symptoms, or think you may have been exposed to syphilis.
• People living with HIV: At the time of HIV diagnosis and at least once a year after that. More frequent testing may be needed if the risk continues.
• Pregnant women: At the first prenatal visit. If there is a higher risk of infection, testing may be repeated later in pregnancy and again at delivery.
• After possible exposure or if your partner has syphilis: Get tested as soon as possible. If the first test is negative, your doctor may advise repeating it after 6 weeks and 3 months.
• After treatment for syphilis: Repeat testing is usually done at 3, 6, and 12 months to make sure the treatment has worked.

Your doctor may recommend a different testing schedule based on your health, pregnancy status, symptoms, and risk of exposure.

• Syphilis (all stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary): VDRL is primarily a screening test for syphilis infection. It can be falsely negative in very early syphilis or very late (tertiary) disease, so confirmatory treponemal tests are often required.
• Congenital syphilis: VDRL is used as part of screening in newborns and pregnant women to detect or rule out transmission from mother to baby.
• Treatment monitoring: Falling VDRL titres after therapy indicate effective treatment; stable or rising titres suggest treatment failure or reinfection.
• 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

• No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual before the test. Drinking enough water can make it easier to collect the blood sample.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines, especially antibiotics, or if you have had a recent vaccination.
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions, especially autoimmune diseases such as lupus, as these can sometimes affect the test results.
• Wear loose-fitting or short-sleeved clothing so the blood sample can be collected easily from your arm.
• Avoid drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test, unless your doctor advises otherwise.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection

• You will be asked to sit comfortably while the PharmEasy lab technician cleans the inside of your arm with an antiseptic.
• An elastic band will be tied around your upper arm to make the vein easier to find.
• A small needle will be used to collect the blood sample. You may feel a quick prick or mild sting.
• Once the sample is collected, the needle will be removed, gentle pressure will be applied, and a small bandage will be placed over the area.
• If you are afraid of needles or feel dizzy, tell the lab technician before the test. They can help you feel more comfortable.
• Stay relaxed during the blood draw. Looking away from the needle or taking slow, deep breaths may help.

What to Expect After the VDRL Test

• After the blood sample is collected, gentle pressure will be applied and a small bandage will be placed over the area. Keep the bandage on for 1–2 hours or as advised.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects or doing strenuous activity with that arm for the rest of the day to reduce bruising or bleeding.
• Your blood sample will be sent to the laboratory for testing.
• Your test report will be checked by a laboratory expert before it is shared. Your doctor will explain the results based on your symptoms, medical history, and other test results.

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

Blood sample collection is safe, and most people do not have any problems after the test.

• Common: Mild pain, slight bruising, tenderness, or brief dizziness after the blood draw. These usually go away on their own.
• Rare: A larger bruise, infection, swelling of the vein (phlebitis), or temporary nerve irritation.
• When to see a doctor: Get medical advice if you have severe or persistent pain, increasing redness or swelling, excessive bleeding, or signs of infection at the blood draw site. However, these problems are uncommon.

Understanding VDRL Test Limitations

• The VDRL test does not detect the syphilis bacteria directly. It looks for antibodies your body makes in response to the infection.
• Sometimes the test can be positive even if you do not have syphilis. This can happen during pregnancy, with some infections, autoimmune diseases, or after certain vaccinations.
• The test can also miss syphilis in some cases, especially if it is done too soon after infection or in the later stages of the disease.
• In rare cases, very high antibody levels can affect the result, so the test may need to be repeated.
• A positive (reactive) VDRL result is not enough to confirm syphilis. Another test, such as TPHA or FTA-ABS, is usually needed.
• The VDRL test cannot tell how advanced the infection is or which stage of syphilis a person has.

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

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

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

• Boring Road
• Rukanpura
• Kankarbagh
• Rajendra Nagar
• Patliputra Colony
• Ashiana Nagar
• Danapur
• Khagaul
• Phulwari Sharif
• Fraser Road
• Bankipore
• Gandhi Maidan
• Kadamkuan
• Sadaquat Ashram
• New Jaganpura
• Rajiv Nagar
• Mahendru
• Shastri Nagar
• Anisabad
• Kumhrar

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