S E X U A L L Y
T R A N S M I T T E D D I S E A S E S:
Chancroid
What is it? Infections are caused either by viruses (like HIV) or bacteria. Chancroid is a bacterial infection.
How do you get it? Chancroid is transmitted from person to person in two ways:
- Unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal) with someone who has the infection.
- Skin to skin contact with someone who has infected sores.
What are the symptoms? Women and men may have different symptoms from the chancroid infection.
WOMEN:
- Painful sores around or inside the vagina, rectum, or other areas. These sores may have a bad smell.
- It hurts to pee.
- It hurts to have a bowel movement.
Sometimes there are no symptoms and a woman can still has chancroid.
MEN:
- Painful sores around or inside the penis or genital area, rectum, or other areas. These sores may have a bad smell.
- Pain or swelling in the groin area.
Sometimes there are no symptoms and a man can still has chancroid.
How can you know for sure? Only a medical exam can tell if you have chancroid. Blood tests will also indicate the presence of this infection.
How is it treated? Because chancroid is caused by bacteria it can be treated with antibiotics (bacteria killing drugs). All the sexual partners of the person infected with chancroid should be treated at the same time. If not, then the infection will continue to spread.
What can happen if you don't take care of it? The painful sores may get worse and cause more pain. If chancroid is not treated it can be spread to other sexual partners.
UNPROTECTED SEX PUTS YOU AT RISK FOR GETTING CHANCROID.
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