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| Credit: www.medicinenet.com |
Chancroid is a bacterial infection that is spread through
sexual contact.
Causes
Chancroid is caused by a bacteria called Haemophilus
ducreyi.
The infection is found in many parts of the world, such as
Africa and southwest Asia. Very few people are diagnosed in the United States
each year with this infection. Most people in the United States who are
diagnosed with chancroid have traveled outside the country to areas where the
infection is more common.
Symptoms
Within 1 day to 2 weeks after becoming infected, a
person will get a small bump on the genitals. The bump becomes an ulcer within
a day after it first appears. The ulcer:
- Ranges in size from 1/8 inch to 2 inches in diameter
- Is painful
- Is soft
- Has sharply defined borders
- Has a base that is covered with a gray or yellowish-gray material
- Has a base that bleeds easily if it is banged or scraped
About half of infected men have only a single ulcer. Women
often have 4 or more ulcers. The ulcers appear in specific locations.
Common locations in men are:
- Foreskin
- Groove behind the head of the penis
- Shaft of the penis
- Head of the penis
- Opening of the penis
- Scrotum
- In women, the most common location for ulcers is the outer lips of the vagina (labia majora). "Kissing ulcers" may develop. Kissing ulcers are those that occur on opposite surfaces of the labia.
Other areas, such as the inner vagina lips (labia minora),
the area between the genitals and the anus (perineal area), and the inner
thighs may also be involved. The most common symptoms in women are pain with
urination and intercourse.
The ulcer may look like the sore of primary
syphilis (chancre).
About half of the people who are infected with a chancroid
develop enlarged lymph nodes in the groin.
In half of people who have swelling of the groin lymph
nodes, the nodes break through the skin and cause draining abscesses.
The swollen
lymph nodes and abscesses are also called buboes.
Exams and Tests
The health care provider diagnoses chancroid by looking at
the ulcer(s), checking for swollen lymph nodes and testing (ruling out) for
other sexually-transmitted diseases. There is no blood test for chancroid.
Treatment
The infection is treated with antibiotics including
ceftriaxone, and azithromycin. Large lymph node swellings need to be drained,
either with a needle or local surgery.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Chancroid can get better on its own. Some people have months
of painful ulcers and draining. Antibiotic treatment often clears up the
lesions quickly with very little scarring.
Possible Complications
Complications include urethral fistulas and
scars on the foreskin of the penis in
uncircumcised males. People with chancroid should also be checked for other sexually
transmitted infections, including syphilis, HIV, and genital
herpes.
In people with HIV, chancroid may take much longer to
heal.
When to Contact a Medical
Professional
Call for an appointment with your provider if:
- You have symptoms of chancroid
- You have had sexual contact with a person who you know has a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- You have engaged in high-risk sexual practices
Prevention
Chancroid is spread by sexual contact with an infected
person. Avoiding all forms of sexual activity is the only absolute way to prevent
a sexually transmitted disease.
However, safer sex
behaviors may reduce your risk. The proper use of condoms, either the male or female type,
greatly decreases the risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease. You need
to wear the condom from the beginning to the end of each sexual activity.
Alternative Names
Soft chancre; Ulcus molle; Sexually transmitted disease –
chancroid; STD - chancroid; Sexually transmitted infection – chancroid; STI -
chancroid
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