What causes Chancroid?

• Chancroid is caused by a bacteria called Hemophilus ducreyi.
• It takes about 3-14 days before you may feel anything after getting the infection.

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How do you get it?

• Sexual contact: any kind of sex that causes you to come in direct contact with a person who has the infection.
• Autoinocculation (self-infection): can spread it in your self by touching the part which is infected and then touching another part of your body which is not infected.

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Who gets it?

• Anyone can but the infection is not very common in the U.S. and Europe.
• Those who have unprotected sex are at higher risk.
• The risk is even higher for those who travel to the tropics and have sex with prostitutes there.

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What happens to me if I get this?

• You can get sores on your genitals that are very PAINFUL and they are also very TENDER to the touch.
• The lymph nodes nearby will also be swollen.
• You can get these sores anywhere but more commonly on the genitals or in the mouth.
• IN WOMEN, the bacteria that causes chancroid can live inside the vagina but NO SORE MAY BE VISIBLE. The women who have the bacteria can pass the infection on unknowingly because they don't know they have the infection and don't get the treatment.
• Having the sores also puts you at risk for getting other infections like HIV since your skin is broken.

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How long does it last?

• These sores can last for a long time and are very painful and if not treated, large abscesses can form and leave deap scars in your groin area.
• With treatment, you can get rid of the infection and then take precautions to avoid getting it again.

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How can I prevent it?

• Always protect yourself when having sex. USE A CONDOM!!!!
• Don't have sex with multiple and unknown partners.

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How does the doctor test for this?

• The sores are very characteristic- they hurt and they are tender, which the doctor can tell just by examining them.

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How is it treated?

• It is easily treatable by antibiotics.
• If you leave it untreated, abscesses can form in the groin area and leave deep scars.

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What happens to me in the long run?

• If you get treatment, the disease goes away.
• If you don't get treatment early, abscesses can form in the groin area and leave deep scars there.

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