What are the signs and symptoms of chancroid?
Most people with chancroid will develop one or more red, inflamed lumps in the genital area 3-7 days after being infected during sexual intercourse. These become larger and pus-filled until they rupture, leaving a painful ulcer. If left untreated, 50% of cases develop infected lymph glands, which become large, hard painful lumps (buboes), on either one or both sides of the groin. The site of most infections in men is the foreskin but other parts of the penis may be affected. Men usually seek medical care for these painful genital lesions. In women, ulcers may be located on the labia, thigh, perineum and cervix. Women generally have less specific symptoms such as painful urination or pain on passing bowel motions (defaecation), vaginal discharge, painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) and rectal bleeding. Some women may have an infection but complain of no symptoms (asymptomatic carriers).
