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Pronunciations cervicitis chancroid chlamydial cervicitis coccal gonorrhea granuloma inguinal trichomoniasis urethritis

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi that produces painful genital sores.

While quite common in other parts of the world, chancroid is rare in the United States, with only 143 cases reported in 1999—three quarters of which occurred in local outbreaks in New York, South Carolina, and Texas.

Symptoms begin 3 to 7 days after infection. Small, painful blisters form on the genitals or around the anus and rapidly rupture to form shallow sores. These sores may enlarge and connect. The lymph nodes in the groin may become tender, enlarged, and matted together, forming an abscess (a collection of pus). The skin over the abscess may become red and shiny and may break down and discharge pus onto the skin.

Several antibiotics are effective for chancroid. A single injection of ceftriaxoneSome Trade Names
ROCEPHIN
is effective, as is a single oral dose of azithromycinSome Trade Names
ZITHROMAX
, 3 days of oral ciprofloxacinSome Trade Names
CILOXAN
CIPRO
, or 7 days of oral erythromycinSome Trade Names
E-MYCIN
ERYTHROCIN
ILOSONE
.

Last full review/revision February 2003