Chancroid

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is spread very easily. It's marked by ulcers and sores which can be very uncomfortable on your private parts. This condition can be healed but will need to be handled as soon as you find out that you have it. If you don't get chancroid care soon, the chances of getting HIV rise.

How can the spread of chancroid be prevented?

  • Limit the number of your sex partners.
  • Use a condom.
  • Carefully wash the genitals after sexual relations.
  • If you believe you are sick, avoid sexual contact and visit your local STD clinic, hospital or physician. Immediately alert all sexual partners so that they can get examinations and treatment.

How do you treat chancroid?

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection that occurs in the genital area causing painful open sores, or chancroids. It can also frequently cause the groin's lymph nodes to swell and become painful.

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the Haemophilus ducreyi bacteria.

Having chancroid also increases the risk of developing other STIs, as the sores damage the skin barrier and the immune system.

Persons with chancroid will seek medical treatment as soon as symptoms become evident. Someone diagnosed with or suspected of having chancroid should also notify recent sexual partners so that they can be checked as quickly as possible.

How do people get chancroid?

Chancroid is transmitted in two ways:

  • Sexual transmission through skin-to-skin contact with an open sore(s).
  • Non-sexual transmission when pus-like fluid from the ulcer is moved to other parts of the body or another person.

Signs or Symptoms

  • Symptoms usually grow within 4 to 10 days of exposure. They rarely grow until three days or 10 days later.
  • The ulcer begins as a tender, elevated bump, or papule, that becomes a pus-filled, open sore with eroded or ragged edges.
  • The ulcer is soft to the touch (unlike a hard- or rubbery syphilis chancre). The word chancre soft is often used to describe sore chancroid.
  • The ulcers in men may be very painful but women are often unaware of them.
  • Since chancroid in women is often asymptomatic, they might not be conscious of the lesion(s).
  • There may be painful lymph glands in the groin, usually on one side only; however, they may occur on both sides.

How do I deal with my health care provider on the subject?

If you have a genital ulcer or sore, swollen lymph nodes, you need to tell your doctor if you should be checked or not. However, it's important to remember that some people, usually women, are asymptomatic. If you have unprotected sex or find out your partner has unprotected sex with another person, you may want to ask your doctor regarding STD testing.