Chancroid

What causes Chancroid?

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

Dr.Joe's Data Base

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How do you get it?

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* 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?

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* 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?

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* 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 do I get it for?

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* 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?

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* 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?

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* 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?

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

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What happens to me in the long run?

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

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