| Basic Information |
|
| Description |
|
A sexually transmitted disease characterized by painful, genital
ulcerations. Exposure is usually through sexual intercourse, but
accidentally acquired lesions have occurred on the hands. The incubation
period is from 3 to 5 days. Chancroid can be transmitted from someone
who has no symptoms.
|
|
| Frequent Signs and Symptoms |
- Small painful lesion (sore or boil) that is usually found on
the external genitalia. It becomes an open running ulceration. More
lesions often develop.
- On women, the lesions most commonly appear on the labia, but
may appear on the perineum, thigh or cervix. Some women may have
no external signs of infection. On men, they appear on the shaft of
the penis, the foreskin or the urinary opening.
- The inguinal lymph nodes can become tender, enlarged and matted
together, forming an abscess (bubo) in the groin.
|
| Causes |
|
Haemophilus ducreyi, a bacterium.
|
|
| Risk Increases With |
- Multiple sexual partners.
- HIV infection.
|
| Preventive Measures |
- Practice safe sex.
- Have a male partner use a condom for sexual intercourse.
|
| Expected Outcome |
- Complete healing with appropriate treatment.
- In some patients, the sores heal spontaneously.
|
| Possible Complications |
- Scarring.
- Untreated or inadequately treated cases of chancroid may
persist and secondary infection may develop.
|
|
| Treatment/Post Procedure Care |
|
| General Measures |
- Diagnostic tests may include a culture of fluid from the lesions
and laboratory blood studies.
- Sexual partners should be examined also.
- Treatment is with medications. The buboes in the lymph nodes
may require needle aspiration.
- Warm sitz baths may help ease any pain or discomfort. Sit in a
bathtub with warm water 8 to 10 inches deep for 15 to 20 minutes.
Do this 2 to 3 times a day.
- Other sexually transmitted diseases are often present and
will need to be treated.
- Additional information available from Sexually Transmitted
Diseases Hotline (800) 227 8922.
|
| Medication |
|
An antibiotic medication will be prescribed. The treatment regimen
may consist of a single dose or treatment for a week depending on
the drug used.
|
|
| Activity |
|
Avoid any sexual activity until healing is complete.
|
|
| Diet |
|
No special diet
|
|
| Notify Your Healthcare Provider If |
- You or your sexual partner has signs and symptoms of chancroid.
- Symptoms worsen after treatment is started.
- New or unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment
may cause side effects.
|