Chancroid - Medtick

Chancroid

What is it?

A bacterial sexually transmitted disease mainly affecting men causing sore on their genitals and is often confused with genital herpes, Lymphogranuloma vernereum (LGV) and syphilis.

Beware of: Granuloma Iguinale (Donovanosis) – Large red ulcers that may bleed and be prone to infection
  • The incubation period (the time between when you’ve been exposed and when you develop symptoms) for chancroid is about three to seven days.

It is normally found in world areas of:

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Caribbean

Diagnosis Tests

  • The sexual healthcare professionals will try to rule out genital herpes, Lymphogranuloma vernereum (LGV) and syphilis and then consider this condition.
Do no treat this condition with steroidal cream and/or moisturisers as it may make the condition worst.

Cause

  • Haemophilus ducreyi (H. ducreyi) it enters your body through tiny tears in the skin during sexual activity.
  • Sexual contact: vaginal, anus, oral, sharing sex toys.
  • Unprotected sex

Symptoms

  • Soft chancre (ulcer) that are often painful and red?
  • Raised and painful bumps (Soft chancre/ulcer) on the skin of your genitals?
  • Ulcers with ragged grey soft edges that develop from these bumps?
  • Reddened and shiny skin on the sores?
  • Leakage of pus and infectious fluid?
  • Spreading and connecting of these sores into larger areas?
  • Have swollen and painful lymph nodes in your groin?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition can lead to:

  • Suppurative lymphadenitis – tissue infections caused by bacteria that appear like large swellings lumps and boils [as one can transfer the Soft chancre (ulcer) leak and pus to other parts of body and to others during sexual intercourse].
    • Symptoms include lymph nodes which are:
      • Nodes that increase in size.
      • Nodes that are painful to touch.
      • Nodes that are soft or matted together.
      • Redness or red streaking of the skin over nodes.
      • Nodes that are filled with pus (an abscess).
      • Fluid that drains from the nodes to the skin.

This condition is often confused with and/or show similar symptoms to:

  • Genital herpes
  • Lymphogranuloma vernereum (LGV)
  • Syphilis (If you have syphilis, you could have a chancre. This is a hard sore or an ulcer that usually forms where the bacteria enters your body, most often in your genital area, but also in your mouth or anus. A chancre usually doesn’t cause pain)
  • Granuloma Iguinale (Donovanosis) – genital ulcerative disease caused by the intracellular gram-negative bacterium Klebsiella granulomatis (formerly known as Calymmatobacterium granulomatis).
    • Symptoms include:
      • Large red ulcers that may bleed and be prone to infection
  • Elephantiasis

H.I.V Test

  • A H.I.V test should be offered if one has this condition.

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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