The soft chancre, or chancroid, is caused by rod-shaped bacteria (Haemophilus ducreyi) that more commonly infects and manifests in a more painful form in males (it can be asymptomatic in women). In Western countries, this infection is rare, while in Africa and the Caribbean, infections are especially frequent.
Contagion always occurs directly from unprotected sex.
Within 3-7 days of unprotected sex with an infected person, the bacterium causes typical ulcerous lesions that are swollen around the edges, painful and have a soft center (hence the name of the infection). These mainly affect the area of the glands, the frenulum (thin flap of skin joining the gland at the foreskin), the perineum and the area around the anus.
There is usually an enlarged lymph node (lymphadenopathy) on one side, with a tendency towards suppuration and fistula formation.
The ulcers caused by the bacteria can spread by autoinfection (if you touch ulcers, in fact, the bacteria can get onto the fingers and be transferred to the mouth or other areas). Sexual promiscuity and poor hygiene increase the chance of contagion. The presence of ulcers may predispose you to other sexually transmitted diseases.
Diagnosis involves looking for Haemophilus ducreyi in the material collected from the ulcer or lymph node. In severe cases, it may be necessary to drain the pus with a needle from inside the ulcers. Treatment is based on the intake of antibiotics, either orally or by intramuscular injection. At the end of treatment, it is very important to go for a checkup. Complete healing is achieved in about 10-15 days. Relapses are uncommon unless treatment was not followed properly.
