Chancroid

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi.

Transmission

The disease is mainly transmitted through sexual contact from oral sex, vaginal sex or anal sex. The disease is very rare in developed nations but more common in third world countries near the tropical regions. In third world countries the disease are common among sex workers who are likely to spread to foreigners that come into sexual contact with infected individual.

Men are more likely than women to get infected with the bacterium, uncircumcised men have increase risk of getting the infection. People with chancroid also have increase risk of getting infected with HIV virus. This disease is one of the most common causes of genital ulcers. However, the bacterium cannot be transmitted from infected mother to the newborn.

Symptoms

A small bump or papule usually appears within 1 to 14 days after infection. The bump may appear in the area of genitals, perineum, or anus. The bump ruptures within a day and forms into ulcers that is usually painful and feel soft to touch. When left untreated, the infection developed into swollen lymph nodes in the groin known as buboes. The swelling lymph nodes may eventually rupture through the skin.

Most infected men have single genital ulcer but some may have multiple genital ulcers. The genital ulcers usually appear on the foreskin, on the corona or glans, sometime on the shaft of the penis, on the scrotum or in the rectum. The symptoms in men may include swelling on the foreskin, bleeding in the rectum, and painful bowel movements.

Most infected women are likely to have multiple genital ulcers that usually appear on the labia, cervix, vaginal opening, perineum, and sometime in the rectum. The symptoms in women include painful intercourse, painful urination, vaginal discharge, bleeding in the rectum, and painful bowel movements.

Treatment

The infection can be treated with a single dose of azithromycin or ceftriaxone or it can be treated with erythromycin or ciprofloxacin taken orally for seven days. Pregnant mother can be treated safely with a single dose of azithromycin or erythromycin taken for seven days. Swelling lymph nodes can be treated by draining with a needle or minor surgery.

Follow up visit is required 7 days after the treatment to be certain genital ulcers was treated successfully. Chancroid can take longer to heal if the individual have large ulcers or already infected with HIV virus. Avoid engaging in sexual activity until the disease has been completely cured. All your sexual partners should also be treated completely to avoid re-infection and to prevent others from been infected.

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