Chancroid is a highly infectious sexually transmitted disease. This infection can lead to your body developing other risky health conditions over time without treatment. This is a bacterial infection that causes sores and ulcers on the genitals. It is easily treated, but it is also very easy to spread to others.
The symptoms of Chancroid are:
Chancroid is caused by a bacteria called Haemophilus ducreyi. This infection is transmitted between people through sexual contact with someone who has open chancroid sores. Physical contact with the pus from chancroid sores can also lead to other people contracting the bacteria through other kinds of touch. People with chancroid sores can touch the sores and then infect others without having sexual relations with them.
The risk factors for contracting chancroid are:
Diagnosis of chancroid can often be made simply through physical examination if sores are present. Many doctors will confirm that you have chancroid by taking a swab of the ulcers and sending it to the lab. The lab will confirm that the bacteria that causes chancroid is present in the sample.
Prevention of chancroid involves practising safe sex. You should not have sex without a condom, and you should limit your number of sexual partners. Do not have sexual contact with someone who has open chancroid sores. If you think that you have chancroid, do not have sex with anyone until you have seen a doctor. You cannot have sexual contact with anyone until you have completed your treatment for chancroid so that you do not transmit it to anyone else.
Treatment of chancroid is done with antibiotics. Sores should heal in about two weeks. You will likely need to be retested before you should start having sex with anyone again. You should not have sex while you have unhealed sores. You will need to keep the area around the sores clean and dry as they heal. Do not wear tight-fitting clothes while your sores are healing.