Diagnosis and Treatment of Chancroid

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Chancroid is a sexually transmitted disease that causes genital ulcers and is associated with HIV. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is a bacterial condition precipitated by the Haemophilus ducreyi bacteria. It typically occurs in developing countries, but occasionally it is seen in the United States.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there are two ways that chancriod can be spread. Commonly, it is spread through sexual transmission. It travels through an open sore to the skin of a partner. The ulcers can also excrete fluid, and this can also spread the condition to others (or to a different part of the body of the same person).
There are a variety of symptoms that are associated with chancroid that can aid a health care provider in making a diagnosis. A genital bump may be among the first symptoms, and soon one or more ulcers will form. According to the New York Times, women are more likely than men to have multiple ulcers. They may be up to 2 inches in width, painful, and soft. In men, they often appear in the shaft, opening, groove or head of the penis or in the foreskin or scrotum. In women, they are often on the labia and perineal area. In addition to the ulcers, other symptoms include painful urination and intercourse as well as enlarged inguinal lymph nodes.
If you suspect that you may have chancroid it is important to see your health care provider immediately. He or she will ask about any symptoms and examine the ulcers. He or she will also check the lymph nodes to help make a diagnosis. Because this condition is related to HIV, a test may also be performed for this.
Medications can be utilized to cure the infection. This can both alleviate symptoms and stop the spread of the infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some of the popular medication regiments for this condition include one of the following: a single dose of Azithromycin (1g), one dose of Ceftriaxone (250 mg) intramuscularly, Ciprofloxacin two times daily for three days (500 mg) or Erythromycin base (500 mg) three times daily for one week. Different conditions such as pregnancy and allergies may play a part in which medication will be most suitable.
The patient will often show improvement within three days. He or she should be reexamined to ensure that improvement continues. If there is no improvement a different medication may be prescribed or the health care provider may look for other possible culprits. Those with larger sores or uncircumcised men may take longer to heal. Needle aspiration may be utilized if medication does not provide a complete resolution.
It is important to get medication attention if you see genital ulcers that may be the result of chancroid. With proper care, you will see the best possible outcome.