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Transmission
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Primarily though sexual contact (direct transmission) but also from skin-to-skin contact with the infected sores of another person. A person that has no visible signs of infection can transmit chancroid. |
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Protection
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Condoms may not offer enough protection against infection because chancroid is caused by direct contact with an open sore that may not be on the penis or vagina. Poor personal hygiene encourages infection. |
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Symptons
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Usually occur within 2-5 days of exposure. Rarely develop earlier than three days or later than 10 days. |
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Ulcer begins as a tender, elevated bump, or papule and become a pus-filled open sore with eroded or ragged edges. |
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Ulcers are soft to the touch (unlike a syphilis chancre that is hard or rubbery). |
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Painful lymph glands may occur in the groin, usually on one side only; however, they can occur on both sides. |
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Treatment
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Antibiotics. |
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Warnings
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The time required to heal is related to the size of the ulcer. Large ulcers may require two weeks or more. In severe cases, scarring may result. |
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Partners should be examined and treated regardless of whether symptoms are present. |
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In one-half of cases, the lymph node glands in the groin will become infected within five to eight days of the initial sores. |
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Ruptured buboes are susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. |
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In uncircumcised males, new scar tissue may result in phimosis (constriction preventing the foreskin from being retracted over the head of the penis). Circumcision may be required to correct this. |
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Glands on one side may become enlarged, hard, painful and fuse together to form a bubo (BEW- bo), an inflammation and swelling of one or more lymph nodes with overlying red skin. Surgical drainage of the bubo may be necessary to relieve pain. |
Chancroid is an old STD that has made a comeback. It is a bacterial infection with sores and swelling usually found in the genital area but may develop on other parts of the body. More commonly seen in warmer climates, but it is on the increase in cooler climates, as well.
