Chancroid

Topic: Sexually transmissible infections

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Quick facts:

Chancroid is a rare sexually transmissible infection (STI) causing genital ulcers which can be cured with antibiotics.
For the 5 years to 2022 there were no chancroid notifications in Queensland.
People at risk of a chancroid infection in Australia have usually had sex with someone from a high-risk country or while travelling there.

Chancroid is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) which causes ulcers of the genitals. It is caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi.

Chancroid is extremely rare in Australia. In some tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world, chancroid is a common cause of genital ulcers. It is common in Southeast Asia, India and parts of Africa and Latin America. In Australia, it usually occurs only in people who have travelled or lived in areas where chancroid is common.

Signs and symptoms

After infection, a painless papule occurs that progresses to a pustule, and then to a painful ulcer a few days to 2 weeks after the initial infection. This most commonly occurs near the tip of the penis and under the foreskin or at the entrance of the vagina. The ulcer tends to be irregular in shape and often has raw red edges which bleed easily when scraped. Ulcers are usually painful, but if they develop on the vaginal walls and/or cervix they are often painless. Lesions might be in other parts of the body caused by the person infecting themselves (auto inoculation).

There may be more than one ulcer. Sometimes there are several ulcers which join as they grow. The lymph nodes in the groin may become large and painful and full of exudate or pus (called a bubo).

Testing

Testing for chancroid is not routinely offered as part of a sexual health check. If you have had sex in countries where chancroid or other STIs are more common, you should have a sexual health check when you return and mention this to your health provider.

Swabs from the ulcer or sore can be tested for chancroid at Pathology Queensland laboratories. There are other causes of genital ulcers, so these swabs could be used to test for other causes at the same time.

Treatment

Chancroid is treated with a short course of antibiotics. To ensure the infection has been cured it is important to complete the recommended treatment and that you do not have sex (not even with a condom) for 7 days after the treatment is completed. Your treating doctor may seek advice from a specialist as chancroid is so rare.

When people find out that they have chancroid, anyone they have had sex with within the past 2 weeks will need to have the same tests and treatment as the infected person. This is to make sure that they do not have the infection and to prevent re-infection. Sample conversations and services that help with telling partners in a confidential and anonymous way (if desired) are available online:

Transmission

Chancroid is transmitted through sexual contact with a person who has ulcers or sores caused by the chancroid bacteria.

Prevention

People should not have sex with someone who has a visible genital ulcer or sore. Genital ulcers or sores could be due to chancroid or some other STI such as donovanosis, herpes or syphilis. If your sexual partner has a genital sore or ulcer, advise them to have a sexual health check.

If you are planning to travel to a country where chancroid is common, find out about STIs, and how they are best avoided.

Condoms are the best way to prevent STIs and using them with a water-based lubricant will be more pleasurable and reduce the risk of the condom breaking. The only way to know that you do not have an infection is to get a sexual health check. If you have sex with new or different partners and do not use condoms, you'll need to have more frequent sexual health checks.

Health outcome

If not treated, the infection persists for about 3-4 months and the ulcers get progressively bigger. This can result in destruction of the skin; permanent scarring of the genitals and infected glands can rupture.

Infections that cause ulcers and sores around the genitals increase the risk of HIV transmission.

Other resources

For short animations about common STIs, see Queensland Health's YouTube channel Your Sexual Health.
For comprehensive safe sex, STIs, testing and treatment information for young adults see Stop the Rise of STIs.
For videos and resources developed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities see Young Deadly Free.
Other resources about STIs are available from the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland.

Help and assistance

Get qualified health advice 24/7 for the cost of a local call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

This factsheet provides general information and is not intended to replace the need to see a health professional or have a sexual health check. For more information on chancroid or sexual health please talk to a healthcare provider. A doctor, nurse or health worker can assist with:

providing appropriate tests, treatment and information about how to prevent STIs
helping people to ensure that their sexual partners get tested and treated.

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Last updated:: 2 March 2023

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