Chancroid is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacteria that’s extremely hard to pronounce, but once you have an infection from fastidious Gram-negative streptobacillus haemophilus ducreyi, the effects are just as bad as trying to pronounce the name.

Chancroid is spread through sexual contact and tends to infect a person if they have some form of pre-existing injury such as a small lesion or cut on or around the genitalia. The likelihood of transmission increases if a person is extremely sexually active or if they practice poor personal hygiene. Research has also found that men who are uncircumcised are more likely to become infected than men who have had the procedure done.

The first sign of infection is usually the appearance of one or more sores as well as raised bumps on the genital organs. These sores are surrounded by a narrow red ring which soon becomes filled with pus and eventually ruptures, leaving an agonizing open sore.

In 50 % of untreated cases, the chancroid bacteria can infect the lymph glands in the groin. In approximately five to 10 days since the primary sores become visible, the glands on one or both sides of the groin become enlarged, hard and painful. This results in a rounded painful swelling which may then eventually rupture too.

Once exposed to the bacteria, symptoms usually appear after four to seven days. The bacteria is extremely contagious whether symptoms are visible or not. The bacteria can still be spread from skin to skin contact and from the open sores directly.

Since chancroid is curable, infected persons will be treated with certain antibiotics that can be prescribed by a doctor. After being successfully cured, the infected person doesn’t become immune to the bacteria, they can get the infection again and again. It is always vital to practice safe sex and limit the amount of sexual partners.

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