Chancroid is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium called Hemophilus ducreyi. Though it's most prevalent in developing and Third World countries, it's found all over the globe. Chancroid is contagious as long as the infected person carries open sores in his body. These open sores serve as breeding ground of bacteria and any contact with the infectious sores ultimately leads to infection. Chancroid is also sometimes called “soft chancre.”
Chancroid may be communicable from infection until the lesions are healed. Discharging lymph nodes can persist for several months without treatment.
Chancroid is caused by the bacteria Haemophilus ducreyi. Chancroid is one of the genital ulcer diseases that may be associated with an increased risk of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS. Chancroids can resolve spontaneously, but some individuals may experience months of painful ulceration and draining. It is generally treated with oral and/or intramuscular injections of antibiotics that usually result in rapid clearing of the lesions with a minimum of scarring.
Chancroid led the decline with a 95% decrease. While the condom policy targeting sex workers and their clients was probably the most important factor, it was not the only one. Chancroid can also appear on the glans of the penis (the head), the body or shaft of the penis, or at the urethral orifice (the opening into the male genital organ and its conduit, the urethra). The anus and/or rectum may be afflicted. Chancroid is most commonly found in developing and third world countries. In the United States, the most common cause of genital ulcers is genital herpes , followed by syphilis , and then chancroid.
Various bacterial (Shigella, Campylobacter, or Salmonella), viral (Hepatitis A), or parasitic (Giardia or amoeba) pathogens are transmitted by sexual practices that promote anal-oral contamination. Sharing sex toys without washing or multiple partnered barebacking can promote anal-anal contamination. Although the bacterial pathogens may coexist with or cause proctitis, they usually produce symptoms (diarrhoea, fever, bloating, nausea, and abdominal pain) suggesting disease more proximal in the GI tract.
Chancroid had been well established as a cofactor for HIV transmission. In other words, someone infected with chancroid may be more easily infected with HIV. Chancroid is one of several sexually transmitted diseases characterized by genital sores. Because chancroid is difficult to recognize, many people probably have it unknowingly. Chancroid does not have a vesicular stage. In males the ulcer is typically located on the distal penis, but may occasionally occur in the urethra and anal orifice.
Painful, open sores and swollen lymph nodes in the groin area are the primary symptoms of chancroid. Infected individuals should expect to see the sores appear as tender red bumps occurring in or around the genital and anal areas within 1 to 2 weeks after contact with an infected individual. Painful ulcer + regional painful LN in 1/3 of patients. Painful ulcer + suppuration = high probably of chancroid.
