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

The VDRL test, short for venereal disease research laboratory test, is a blood-based screening tool for syphilis, an STI caused by treponema pallidum. Globally, as well as in India, syphilis cases have been climbing in recent years due to shifts in sexual behaviour, lower rates of safe sex practices, limited awareness, delayed medical consultation, and gaps in routine screening. The VDRL test is typically advised for people showing symptoms of syphilis, those with possible exposure, and individuals with a heightened risk of STIs. VDRL screening is also a standard component of antenatal care, since untreated maternal syphilis can be transmitted to the baby, raising the likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or congenital syphilis. Detecting the infection early through timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent most of these outcomes. The VDRL test picks up antibodies the body generates in response to syphilis infection, rather than detecting the bacterium. Therefore, VDRL functions purely as a screening method and a reactive result calls for confirmation through more specific testing, such as TPHA or FTA-ABS. The procedure for VDRL testing itself is simple, requiring just a blood sample with no fasting or special preparation beforehand.

Your doctor may recommend a VDRL test if you:

• Show symptoms of syphilis, such as a painless sore, a rash on the palms or soles, or swollen lymph nodes.
• When you are intimate with someone who has syphilis or thinks you may have been exposed to the infection.
• Have an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as having multiple sexual partners, a new sexual partner, or having unprotected sex.
• Are pregnant, as syphilis screening is routinely done during pregnancy.
• Have another STI, such as HIV or gonorrhoea, as these can occur together.
• Regularly undergo pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), as regular syphilis screening is recommended in these cases.
• Are a resident of an area with a high rate of syphilis and you are sexually active.
• Have been undergoing treatment for syphilis and need to be monitored for treatment effectiveness.
• Have to undergo medical evaluation for specific situations such as before blood donation, certain surgical procedures, employment in certain sectors, employment overseas, voluntarily 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

• No specific dietary restrictions apply before a VDRL test.
• Certain factors can occasionally interfere with results, including pregnancy, autoimmune conditions such as lupus, HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, malaria, older age, recent vaccinations, and injection drug use. It is a good idea to mention any recent illness, vaccination, pregnancy, or current medications to your doctor beforehand.
• Loose-fitting or short-sleeved clothing makes it easier to access the arm for the blood draw.
• If you have a bleeding disorder or take blood-thinning medication, let the phlebotomist know before the sample is collected.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection

• The phlebotomist starts by cleaning the inner elbow with an antiseptic swab and securing a tourniquet around the upper arm to make the vein stand out more clearly. They may also gently tap the vein to help it become more visible. You might be asked to form a light fist, but repeatedly clenching and releasing should be avoided, and the arm should stay still throughout.
• A sterile needle is then inserted into the vein to draw the sample, which may cause a brief pinprick or mild stinging sensation. The blood flows into a collection tube, after which you can relax your hand.
• Once sufficient blood has been drawn, the needle is withdrawn, and gentle pressure is applied to the puncture site to control bleeding. A small bandage is placed over the area to complete the process.

What to Expect After the VDRL Test

• You can return to your usual routine right away, as there are no dietary or activity restrictions following the blood draw.
• Mild pain, tenderness, or slight bruising at the puncture site is common and typically settles within a day or two. Keeping the bandage on for a few hours can help minimise bruising.
• Reports are usually available within 24 hours. If the result is reactive, your doctor may recommend confirmatory testing, such as TPHA or FTA-ABS, before finalising the diagnosis and starting treatment.

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 safe, and most side effects are mild, temporary, and resolve without specific treatment.
• Mild pain, tenderness, or slight bruising at the puncture site is common. Applying gentle pressure right after the test and avoiding heavy lifting with that arm for a few hours can help reduce bruising.
• Some people feel dizzy or faint during or shortly after the blood draw. Resting for a few minutes usually helps this pass.
• Since any skin puncture carries a small infection risk, keeping the bandage on for a few hours and the area clean helps minimise this.
• Rarely, those on blood-thinning medication or with bleeding disorders may experience prolonged bleeding or develop a haematoma, a collection of blood under the skin. Firm pressure applied to the site for a few minutes soon after the needle is removed helps control this.

Understanding VDRL Test Limitations

• The VDRL test identifies antibodies produced in response to the syphilis bacterium rather than detecting the bacterium directly, so confirmatory testing is needed for a definitive diagnosis.
• False positives can occur in pregnancy, lupus, HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, or malaria.
• False negatives may appear early in infection before antibody levels build up, in late-stage syphilis as antibodies naturally decline, or with very high antibody concentrations through the prozone effect.
• Cross-reactivity with related infections such as yaws or pinta can also produce reactive results, making it hard to distinguish these from true syphilis without further testing.
• Lab-to-lab differences in reference ranges may also affect how results are interpreted.
• As a screening test, VDRL results should always be reviewed alongside clinical symptoms and patient history rather than in isolation.

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 Vadodara.

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

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

• Alkapuri
• Akota
• Gotri
• Subhanpura
• Kalali
• Pratapnagar
• Karelibaug
• Fatehgunj
• Tarsali
• Manjalpur
• Waghodia Road
• Harni
• Sama
• Nizampura
• Makarpura
• Tandalja
• Gorwa
• Ajwa Road
• Maneja
• Bhayli

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