STD CHANCROID:WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The ulcers in the genital area caused by chancroid are usually painful and look very similar to the ulcers of genital herpes and the first stage of syphilis, although the ulcer from syphilis (the chancre) is usually painless. One difference between chancroid and herpes is that herpes sometimes causes whole-body symptoms, such as fever and headache, and chancroid does not. Chancroid ulcers vary in size from small to very large. They usually start as a red bump, which then erodes, drains pus, and becomes an ulcer. Sometimes—and more often in women than in men—the lesions do not hurt.
About one-third of people with chancroid also develop swelling in the lymph nodes in the groin area. Lymph nodes that are draining pus are characteristic of chancroid and unusual for syphilis or herpes simplex. These symptoms usually take about a week to show up after infection.
Men and women may experience bleeding and pain from the rectum if that is where the ulcers are. In addition to the ulcers and lymph node swelling, women may notice a vaginal discharge and pain with intercourse, and men may have a discharge from the penis and burning with urination. If the lesions are not treated, they may last for one to three months and then resolve, yet they may recur again at a later time.
The ulcers may appear in the mouth, if that is where infection occurred.
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