Chancroid

Basic facts:

• Chancroid is an STI transmitted to a sexual partner through contact with the sores chancroid causes on the vagina, penis, anus, or rectum.

Symptoms:

• Blisters or ulcers (sores): lesions on the mouth, lips, genitals, anus, or surrounding areas

Complications:

• Treatment cures the infection, and complications are rare.
• If left untreated, chancroid can lead to swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the genital area that can rupture and drain pus.

Prevention of transmission to others and repeat infections:

• An infected client should inform all sexual partners he or she has had in the last three months about the infection (if possible) and encourage them to come to the clinic for more information and treatment—even if a partner does not have any symptoms—to avoid reinfection.
• An infected client should avoid sex (1) until the sores are completely healed to make sure he or she does not pass the infection to others, and (2) until after any partner completes treatment (or for seven days if one-dose therapy is used) so he or she does not get infected again. If abstinence is not possible, the client should use a male or female condom during anal, oral, or vaginal sex, making sure all infected areas are covered.

© 2007 EngenderHealth