Chancroid
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 ceftriaxone is effective, as is a single oral dose of azithromycin, 3 days of oral ciprofloxacin, or 7 days of oral erythromycin.
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