Soft Chancre/Soft Sore/Sulcus Mole

a sexually-transmitted disease painful genital ulcers and inguinal adenitis affects males more than females

Results from Haemophilus ducreyi

short, nonmotile gram-negative bacillus

considered as a sexually transmitted disease spread by sexual contact with an infected individual more likely to invade the sexual organs at the

point of a pre-existing injury such as a scratch or a

small cut

Uncircumcised men are at much higher risk than circumcised men getting chancroid from an infected partner

Small bumps in genitals that becomes an ulcer.

1/8-2 inches across

Painful, soft Has sharply defined borders Has a base that is covered with a grey or yellowishgrey material

Has a base that bleeds easily if it is banged or scraped

Common locations in men:

Foreskin Groove behind the head of the penis/head of the penis

Shaft of the penis

Opening of the penis Scrotum

Common locations in women:

Labia majora/kissing ulcers Labia minora Perineal area Inner thighs

The papules bleed easily and produce pus.

Within two to three (2-3) weeks, inguinal adenitis may develop, creating suppurated, inflamed nodes that may rupture into large ulcer or buboes.

During the healing stage, phimosis may develop.

Looking at the location of ulcer(s)

checking for the swollen lymph nodes

Specimens:

Culture of Haemophilus ducreyi from lesion or lymph node aspirate.

Gram-stained smear of lymph node aspirate

showing typical small Gram-negative bacilli. Recommended for HIV test

Azithromycin 500mg, taken orally as a single dose

Erythromycin 500mg, 1 cap BID x 7 days Ceftriaxone 250mg IM as a single dose

Advice client to avoid sexual contact with

infected persons.

Use condoms during sexual activity. Wash genitalia with soap and water after sexual activity.

Large lymph node swellings need to be drained, either with a needle or local surgery.

Standard precaution should be prescribed.

Check for drug allergy.

Lotion, cream, or oil should be applied on lesions. Instruct the patient to abstain from sexual contact until healing is complete (2 weeks). The patient should wash his/her genitalia daily with soap and water.

Handbook of Communicable and Infectious Diseases, 3rd edition. By Navales, D.; pg 55-56. http://www.medicinenet.com