Chancroid

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms for chancroid may vary. A person may experience symptoms within four to ten days after being exposed. Women, or those assigned female at birth, are less likely to show symptoms. Some symptoms of chancroid include: 

• Painful ulcers: These common, often painful, open sores may go away quickly or last for months.
• Swollen, painful lymph nodes around the groin

How it Spreads

Chancroid is very contagious and can easily spread.

One way the infection can spread through sexual contact with someone who has open sores. Chancroids can also be spread if someone comes into contact with the fluid of an open sore.

How to Prevent Chancroid

Ways to lower your chances of getting chancroid include:

• Using a condoms during sexual contact
• Avoiding having sexual contact with someone with an open sore on their genitals or groin
• Limiting your number of sexual partners
• Getting tested for STIs with your partner(s)

The most certain way to prevent getting chancroid is to not engage in vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Treatment and recovery

If you think you have chancroid, seek medical care as soon as possible.

Avoid sexual contact until after you’ve talked to a health care professional. You should not have sex with your partner until you have completed your treatment. It is also important to wait until your sores are completely healed.