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

The venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test is a blood test used to screen for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by treponema pallidum. Although syphilis is easily treatable in its early stages, its incidence has been increasing in many parts of the world, including India. Factors such as unprotected sexual contact, reduced awareness, delayed diagnosis, and inadequate screening have contributed to this rise. The VDRL test is recommended for people with symptoms suggestive of syphilis, such as unexplained sores or rashes, those who may have been exposed to the infection, and individuals at higher risk of STIs. It is also routinely performed during pregnancy because untreated syphilis can pass from mother to baby, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or congenital syphilis. Early screening and treatment greatly reduce these risks. Rather than detecting the bacteria directly, the VDRL test identifies antibodies produced by the body’s immune response to the infection. Since it is a screening test, a reactive result should be confirmed with a more specific test, such as TPHA or FTA-ABS. The test requires only a blood sample and usually does not require fasting or any special preparation.

Your doctor may advise a VDRL test if you:

• Have signs or symptoms of syphilis, such as a painless sore, a rash on the palms or soles, or swollen lymph nodes.
• Have had sexual contact with someone diagnosed with syphilis or believe you may have been exposed to the infection.
• Have a higher risk of STIs, including having multiple or new sexual partners or not using condoms consistently.
• Are pregnant, as syphilis screening is a routine part of antenatal care.
• Have another sexually transmitted infection, such as HIV or gonorrhoea, as these infections can occur together.
• Are taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), as regular screening for syphilis is recommended.
• Are sexually active and live in an area with a high prevalence of syphilis, where routine screening may be advised.
• Need follow-up after treatment for syphilis to monitor your response to treatment.
• Require syphilis screening as part of a medical evaluation, such as before blood donation, certain surgical procedures, overseas employment, employment in specific sectors, premarital health check-ups, or when recommended 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 fasting is required. You can eat and drink normally before the test. Staying well hydrated may make it easier to find a vein for the blood sample.
• Inform your doctor about any recent illness, vaccination, pregnancy, or medicines you are taking, including antibiotics, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements. Conditions such as pregnancy, lupus, HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, malaria, older age, and injection drug use can sometimes affect VDRL test results.
• Wear a short-sleeved or loose-fitting top to allow easy access to the inside of your arm for blood sample collection.
• Tell the phlebotomist if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medicines before the blood sample is collected.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection

• You will be seated comfortably, and the phlebotomist will clean a small area on your arm with an antiseptic.
• An elastic band will be placed around your upper arm to make the vein easier to locate.
• A needle will be inserted into a vein to collect the blood sample. You may feel a brief prick or mild discomfort.
• Once the required amount of blood has been collected, the needle will be removed, and a small bandage will be applied.
• If you feel anxious, dizzy, or have a fear of needles, let the technician know. They can help you feel more comfortable, including allowing you to lie down if needed.
• To help you stay relaxed, avoid looking at the needle, focus on your breathing or another object, or listen to music during the procedure if you prefer.

What to Expect After the VDRL Test

• After the blood sample is collected, the phlebotomist will apply pressure to the puncture site and place a small bandage over it. Keep the bandage on for 1–2 hours or as advised.
• Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity with the affected arm for the rest of the day to reduce the risk of bruising or bleeding.
• Your blood sample will be labelled and sent to a laboratory, where it is processed and analysed using specialised equipment.
• A qualified laboratory professional will verify the results before they are made available. Your doctor will interpret the results in the context of your symptoms, medical history, and other investigations.

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 generally safe. Most side effects, if they occur, are mild and temporary.

• Common side effects: Mild pain or tenderness at the needle site, a small bruise, or brief dizziness or light-headedness.
• Rare complications: A larger bruise (haematoma), infection at the puncture site, inflammation of the vein (phlebitis), or temporary nerve irritation.

Seek medical advice if you develop persistent pain, increasing redness or swelling, excessive bleeding, or signs of infection at the puncture site.

Understanding VDRL Test Limitations

• Measures general cell damage markers (reagin) instead of Treponema pallidum exclusively.
• Reactive results may also be given by malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, leprosy, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, or recent vaccinations.
• Fails to react during the first 3 to 4 weeks of primary syphilis before antibodies develop (false-negative result).
• Shows decreased sensitivity during late-stage (tertiary) syphilis.
• Can produce unreactive results in immunocompromised patients despite active infection.
• A reactive result cannot stand alone and requires specific treponemal tests (like TPHA or FTA-ABS) for diagnosis.
• It cannot determine whether an infection is primary, secondary, latent, or tertiary.
• Prozone phenomenon: High antibody concentrations in secondary syphilis can occasionally cause false-negative reactions unless the sample is diluted.

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 Visakhapatnam.

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

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

• MVP Colony
• Dwaraka Nagar
• Seethammadhara
• Siripuram
• Dabagardens
• Maharanipeta
• Gopalapatnam
• Gajuwaka
• NAD Junction
• Marripalem
• Madhurawada
• PM Palem
• Muralinagar
• Yendada
• Pendurthi
• Simhachalam
• Kurmannapalem
• Pedagantyada
• Kailasapuram
• Allipuram

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