Chancroid

Chancroid – General Information

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection (spreads from a partner to another) which is characterized by painful sores on the genitalia. This disease is a bacterial infection and it is caused by the fastidious Gram-negative strepto-bacillus Haemophilus ducreyi. The infection with this bacterium is encountered more in the countries which are in the process of development, and less in the western world. The men who were not circumcised are at a greater risk of developing Chancroid, then those who have been circumcised. This disease is a big risk factor for contracting HIV, as they have the same ecological association and risk exposure, and also the biologically transmission. In the cases of women who are suffering from Chancroid the location of the ulcers is the labia majora and also the “Kissing ulcers” can develop. The “Kissing ulcers” are those which appear on the opposing zone of the labia (zones as labia minor, perineal area, inner thighs can also be affected).In the first stage of the ulcers, these may be mistaken with chancre, which is the first stage of syphilis. 
In the cases of men infected with this medical disorder the most common locations of the development are:

• Groove behind the head of the penis (also know as coronal sulcus)
• Shaft of the penis
• Foreskin (also known as prepuce)
• Scrotum
• Head of the penis

Studies have revealed the fact that about half of the people who are suffering from this disease will later develop an enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes which are located in the fold between the leg and abdomen. Studies also reveal that half of the persons who have swelling of these nodes will reach a point when the nodes will break through the skin leading to draining abscesses.

Chancroid – Symptoms

It is well known the fact that any medical disorder (including Chancroid) can trigger a variety of symptoms. Therefore, some of this medical condition's most uncommon symptoms have not been listed (mentioned) here. This is why we strongly recommend you to contact your personal health care provider whenever you develop any unusual, bothersome or unpleasant symptoms. Your personal physician will be able to tell you if you are suffering from Chancroid or from any other medical disorder. Here is a list of the most common symptoms that a person who suffers from Chancroid may experience after the period of incubation that may take from one day to several weeks, knowing that at first a bump will develop in the genital area which has the following characteristics:

• Is painful
• Has sharply defined borders
• Has irregular or ragged borders
• Ranges in size, the bigger ones can reach 2 inches
• Has a base covered with grey material that bleeds easily if it is scrapped or banged.

• In women there appears pain during urination and also during intercourse
• In women bumps generally appear on the labia, cervix, vagina, rectum
• In women there appears a vaginal discharge
• In men the rectal sores may cause pain and bleeding during defecation
• Genital sores that rupture after a few days
• Sores are surrounded by a narrow red border, which will fill up with puss and ruptures
• The bacteria of this disease infects the lymph glands in the groin, this is why they become enlarged
• Scarring can appear as a result of numerous ulcers
• Infections can develop
• The glands in the groin can swell, drain continuously, remain open, become infected by other bacteria, and can be firm or fluctuant.

Chancroid – Treatment

In the case that a person believes or suspects that she may be suffering from Chancroid, it is best to consult a doctor or a medical care provider. The infection is diagnosed easily and can be treated in a very short period of time. The doctor will take a probe of one of the ulcers in order to examine it under a microscope and to see if there is any evidence of the Chancroid bacteria. If the test reveals this evidence, then the patient will be prescribed antibiotics (such as Ciprofloxaxin, Trimetropin, Erithromycin) for the treatment. The ulcers will begin to heal within two weeks after the patient has begun the treatment. Doctors recommend the patients to abstain from sexual contact until they are completely cured, until the ulcers are healed. The buboes must be drained by the doctor with a needle and under local anesthetic.

There is another form of treatment; this includes a local treatment which consists of repeated applications of saline on the ulcers. The abscesses which have less than 5 cm can be treated through aspiration, but those that are larger than 5 cm need a surgical drainage. In order to prevent getting Chancroid patients are recommended to abstain from sexual contact, or if they can not abstain, at least use protection, to use a condom every time they have sex and try to reduce the number of sexual partners. You can also prevent the disease to get to an advanced stage by going to a routine STD control regularly.  If you are infected with this disease then it is better to avoid as much as possible the contact with the affected area in order to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body. Patients who are suffering from this medical condition can develop complications. These complications consist in the inflammation of the lymphatic nodes, a constriction of the foreskin (this can lead to the incapacity of the foreskin to be drawn back over the penis), fistula formation, infection, scarring (as a result of more ulcers), and hemorrhage which can result from multiple lesions. If you are suffering from Chancroid, you are at a risk of developing other sexually transmitted disease such as: gonorrhea, HIV and Chlamydia.