serialnovelist

i'm posting this for those people who "think" they may have genital herpes and haven't been tested, so they don't freak out.

there ARE other possibilities.


Chancroid

Chancroid ("shan-kroid") is an important bacterial infection caused by Haemophilus ducreyi, which is spread by sexual contact. Periodic outbreaks of chancroid have occurred in the United States, the last one being in the late 1980s. These outbreaks are usually seen in minority populations in the inner cities, especially in the southern and eastern portion of the country. Globally, this disease is common in sub-Saharan Africa among men who have frequent contact with prostitutes.

The infection begins with the appearance of painful open sores on the genitals, sometimes accompanied by swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin. These symptoms occur within a week after exposure. Symptoms in women are often less noticeable and may be limited to painful urination or defecation, painful intercourse, rectal bleeding, or vaginal discharge. Chancroid lesions may be difficult to distinguish from ulcers caused by genital herpes or syphilis. A physician must therefore diagnose the infection by excluding other diseases with similar symptoms. People with chancroid can be treated effectively with one of several antibiotics. Chancroid is one of the genital ulcer diseases that may be associated with an increased risk of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS.

Also :

What are the symptoms of chancroid?

The first sign of infection is usually the appearance of one or more sores or raised bumps on the genital organs. Sores are surrounded by a narrow red border which soon becomes filled with pus and eventually ruptures, leaving a painful open sore. In 50 percent of untreated cases, the chancroid bacteria infect the lymph glands in the groin. Within five to 10 days of the appearance of primary sores, the glands on one side (sometimes both sides) of the groin become enlarged, hard and painful. A rounded painful swelling results which may eventually rupture.

How soon do symptoms appear?

Symptoms usually appear four to seven days after exposure.

What is the treatment for chancroid?

Chancroid may be successfully treated with certain antibiotics. Lesions and ulcers can be expected to heal within two weeks.

In about 50% of cases, mostly men, the lymph nodes in the groin develop into inflamed, pus-filled swellings (buboes) that can develop and enlarge until they burst the skin. They drain continuously, remain open, and can become infected by other bacteria. The infection can spread to other parts of the body by scratching or rubbing. A burst bubo can take months to heal completely. Open ulcers increase the risk for contracting other STDs, including HIV.


my doctor did a visual test and automatically gve me Valtrex without actually testing the sores (hmmmm) or even a blood test. anyone know where the lymph nodes in the groin are ???