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

The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test is designed to assess whether you have syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Syphilis is caused when you get infected by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Your body’s immune system produces protective proteins called antibodies against the infection. The VDRL test is used to detect these antibodies in your blood. Your healthcare provider may advise this test if they suspect that you have had exposure to syphilis, have symptoms suggestive of syphilis infection, are at a risk of exposure, such as practicing unprotected sex, or are under treatment for syphilis. It is also commonly advised for all pregnant women at their first prenatal visit. The VDRL test involves a routine blood sample collection, does not require fasting and can be done at any time of the day. If your test result is reactive, your doctor may advise further confirmatory testing. Early diagnosis is important because syphilis can be easily treated in the early stages, however, it can have severe complications in the advanced stages of the disease.

• Individuals with symptoms such as painless sores or ulcers on the genitals, mouth, skin, or anus, swollen lymph nodes, non-itchy rashes all over the body, warts, fever, fatigue, malaise, reduced hunger, muscles and joint pain, changes in vision, or alopecia.
• Routine testing in pregnant women during the first prenatal visit. Syphilis can cause severe complications in the foetus if transmitted from the infected mother during pregnancy or delivery. Hence, it is routinely advised.
• Individuals who suspect exposure to someone with syphilis.
• Individuals with multiple sexual partners, practice unprotected sex or are in similar high-risk situations.
• Individuals diagnosed with other sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, chlamydia, or gonorrhoea.
• Individuals undergoing therapy for syphilis may be advised to take this test for monitoring treatment response.

• Pregnant women: once at the first prenatal visit, and in high-risk cases, once at the third trimester.
• Individuals with exposure risk: every 3 to 6 months, or as recommended by their doctor.
• Individuals under treatment for syphilis: testing may be advised at 3, 6, and 12 months to check for treatment response and recovery progress.

• Primary syphilis: occurs soon after contracting syphilis. A painless sore (chancre) develops at the site of infection.
• Secondary syphilis: non-itchy rashes, lymph node swelling and flu-like symptoms may occur.
• Latent syphilis: symptoms disappear but infection is still present in the body.
• Tertiary syphilis: in advanced stages of the disease, heart, brain, nerves, and eyes may be severely affected.
• Congenital syphilis: syphilis may be transmitted to the fetus from the mother during pregnancy or delivery

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?

• The VDRL test may be done at any time of the day. You may eat and drink normally before the test.
• The VDRL test results may be affected by medications, recent vaccinations, autoimmune disorders, or other STIs. Inform your doctor regarding these.
• Inform your doctor about your pregnancy status.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection?

• A trained phlebotomist from PharmEasy will arrive at your home at the scheduled time. They will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

What to Expect After the VDRL Test?

• Mild throbbing may be felt at the blood collection site after the blood is drawn, which will get better in a few minutes. Occasionally, you may feel dizzy, in which case you may lie down for a while until the feeling passes.

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 and involves minimal risk.
• Mild discomfort, slight bleeding, or bruising at the blood collection site, dizziness, or light-headedness may occasionally occur.
• In rare cases, there may be difficulty locating a vein or a small risk of infection.

Understanding VDRL Test Limitations

• The accuracy of the VDRL test may vary depending on the stage of syphilis. It may be less sensitive during the very early and late stages of infection due to lower antibody levels, while it generally performs better during the secondary and latent stages.
• The VDRL test is primarily used as a screening tool, and additional confirmatory tests may be required to establish a diagnosis of syphilis.
• This test alone cannot determine whether the infection is currently in an infectious stage or whether transmission has occurred.
• False-positive results: In some cases, conditions such as HIV, hepatitis C, Lyme disease, malaria, certain types of pneumonia, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and other autoimmune disorders may lead to reactive results even in the absence of syphilis.
• Reference ranges and result interpretation may vary slightly between laboratories.

If the VDRL result is reactive or positive, you may be advised additional confirmatory tests such as

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

In Pune, a VDRL test at PharmEasy is typically priced around INR 249. The exact cost may vary depending on factors such as the diagnostic centre and local pricing trends. For additional details, you can compare VDRL test prices across major cities in India.

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

• Kothrud
• Shivajinagar
• Baner
• Aundh
• Pashan
• Wagholi
• Karve Nagar
• Warje
• Sinhagad Road
• Viman Nagar
• Lohegaon
• Kalyani Nagar
• Koregaon Park
• Hadapsar
• Mundhwa
• Kharadi
• Hinjewadi
• Nigdi
• Pimple Saudagar
• Dhankawadi

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