In developed countries, chancroid is rare. In 2018, only 3 cases of chancroid were reported in the United States. But it is a common cause of genital sores throughout much of the developing world. Because chancroid causes genital sores, people who have it are more likely to become infected with and to spread the human immunodeficiency virus Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a viral infection that progressively destroys certain white blood cells and can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV is transmitted... read more 
(HIV).
(See also Overview of Sexually Transmitted Infections. Overview of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Sexually transmitted (venereal) diseases are infections that are typically, but not exclusively, passed from person to person through sexual contact. Sexually transmitted infections may be caused... read more 
)
Symptoms of Chancroid
Symptoms begin 3 to 7 days after infection. Small, painful blisters form on the genitals or around the anus and rapidly rupture to form shallow, open sores with ragged edges. These sores may enlarge and join together. Occasionally, these sores become deeper and damage other tissues.
The lymph nodes in the groin may become tender, enlarged, and matted together, forming collections of pus (abscesses) called buboes. The skin over the abscess may become red and shiny and may break down and discharge pus from the lymph nodes onto the skin. Sores may form in other areas of the skin.
Diagnosis of Chancroid
A doctor's evaluation
Culture of a sample of pus or fluid
Doctors suspect chancroid in people with one or more painful genital sores (ulcers) that have no obvious cause, especially if they have been in areas of the world where the infection is common.
Usually, doctors take a sample of pus or fluid from a sore and send it to a laboratory to be grown (cultured). However, culturing and identifying these bacteria are difficult, so the diagnosis relies more on symptoms and likelihood of being exposed to the infection.
Specific tests for chancroid are not readily available, but blood tests may be done to exclude other causes, such as syphilis Syphilis Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Syphilis can occur in three stages of symptoms, separated by periods of apparent good health. It... read more 
and HIV infection Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a viral infection that progressively destroys certain white blood cells and can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV is transmitted... read more .
Prevention of Chancroid
The following general measures can help prevent chancroid (and other sexually transmitted infections):
Avoidance of unsafe sex practices, such as frequently changing sex partners or having sexual intercourse with prostitutes or with partners who have other sex partners
Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the infection (to prevent spread to other people)
Identification of the sexual contacts of infected people, followed by counseling or treatment of these contacts
Not having sex (anal, vaginal, or oral) is the most reliable way to prevent sexually transmitted infections but is often unrealistic.
Treatment of Chancroid
An antibiotic
Several antibiotics are effective for chancroid. The following may be used:
Ceftriaxone in a single injection into a muscle
Azithromycin taken by mouth in a single dose
Ciprofloxacin taken by mouth for 3 days
Erythromycin taken by mouth for 7 days
If buboes are causing discomfort, doctors may make an incision to drain them. This treatment is done only if people are taking antibiotics to control the infection.
If initial test results for syphilis and HIV infection are negative, doctors recommend that people with chancroid come back in 3 months to be tested again for syphilis and HIV infection, which may also be present.
If sex partners have had sexual contact with the infected person during the 10 days before the person's symptoms began, they are examined and treated regardless of whether they have symptoms of chancroid.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
ceftriaxone |
Ceftrisol Plus, Rocephin |
azithromycin |
Azasite, Zithromax, Zithromax Powder, Zithromax Single-Dose , Zithromax Tri-Pak, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax, Zmax Pediatric |
ciprofloxacin |
Cetraxal , Ciloxan, Cipro, Cipro XR, OTIPRIO, Proquin XR |
erythromycin |
A/T/S, Akne-mycin, E.E.S., Emcin Clear , EMGEL, E-Mycin, ERYC, Erycette, Eryderm , Erygel, Erymax, EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythra Derm , Erythrocin, Erythrocin Lactobionate, Erythrocin Stearate, Ilosone, Ilotycin, My-E, PCE, PCE Dispertab , Romycin, Staticin, T-Stat |
