chancroid

Definition

Or: soft chancre / venereal sore , a sexually transmitted disease (STD), not known to be spread any other way, caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi and characterized by painful genital ulceration and regional lymphadenopathy. It is more common in tropical countries than other parts of the world and it is more commonly seen in men than in women, particularly uncircumcised males. SYMPTOMS: The first signs appear 4 to 7 days after exposure in the form of a papule or pustule that erodes to form a painful ulcer with irregular, ragged borders. In 50% of untreated cases, the chancroid bacteria infects the lymph glands in the groin. TREATMENT: Chancroid may be successfully treated with certain antibiotics (ceftriaxone, erythromycin, zithromycin). Lesions and ulcers can be expected to heal within two weeks.