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Chancroid: An Overview

By Elizabeth Boskey, Ph.D., About.com

Updated: October 23, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Number of Cases of Chancroid by Year and Gender

Photo (c) CDC/NCHSTP, Sexually Transmitted Disease Morbidity 1984-2003, CDC WONDER On-line Database.

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted genital ulcer disease caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi. Although not commonly seen in the United States, it is a relatively common disease in the developing world. As with syphilis, the open sores caused by chancroid increase a person's risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

The early signs of chancroid may be mistaken for syphilis. However, the ulcers generally grow to a larger size, and are more painful than those associated with syphilis. Chancroid may also lead to swelling, tenderness, and inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin, a side effect not associated with syphilis.

Chancroid is treated with antibiotics.

For More Information:

Sources:

The MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Chancroid Accessed 5/28/07.

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