What Is Chancroid?

Table of Contents

Chancroid (pronounced shang-kroid) is a rare but highly contagious bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes painful genital ulcers. It’s caused by a bacterium called Haemophilus ducreyi. The infection is more common in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, but it occasionally appears in the United States — especially in people with multiple partners, sex workers, or those with limited access to sexual health services.

Unlike herpes or syphilis, chancroid causes soft, painful sores (sometimes called “soft chancres”) that can bleed or ooze. These sores appear on or around the genitals and are often accompanied by swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin.

Chancroid also increases the risk of HIV transmission, especially if left untreated. Fortunately, with antibiotics, it’s curable — but fast diagnosis and treatment are key.

What Are Symptoms of Chancroid?

Symptoms usually appear 4 to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. Many people with chancroid develop multiple painful sores, often starting as small red bumps that break open.

In people with male biology:

  • Painful open sores on the penis, foreskin, or scrotum
  • One or more ulcers with ragged edges and soft centers
  • Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin — sometimes forming abscesses

In people with female biology:

  • Painful ulcers on the vulva, labia, perineum, or inner thighs
  • Pain during urination, sex, or menstruation
  • Genital swelling or discomfort

In everyone:

  • Tender inguinal lymph nodes (in the groin)
  • Possible discharge or bleeding from ulcers

Symptoms can be mistaken for herpes or syphilis, so testing is crucial for diagnosis.

What Does Chancroid Look Like?

Chancroid ulcers usually begin as red bumps and quickly turn into open sores. These ulcers:

  • Are soft, not firm like syphilis chancres
  • Have irregular, jagged edges and a base that may be yellow-gray
  • Are painful to the touch
  • May bleed or ooze pus

Nearby lymph nodes may swell significantly, causing visible bulges in the groin. In some cases, these nodes rupture and drain pus through the skin.

This section contains graphic images. Click to view.

How Is Chancroid Transmitted?

Chancroid spreads through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The bacteria enter the body through microscopic breaks in the skin or mucous membranes.

How you can get chancroid:

  • Having sex with someone who has open chancroid ulcers
  • Contact with infected genital fluid
  • Use of shared sex toys without proper cleaning

Chancroid is not spread through casual contact like hugging, kissing, or toilet seats.

Anyone who is sexually active can get chancroid, but it’s more likely among people with:

  • Multiple sexual partners
  • Inconsistent condom use
  • Other untreated STIs

How Do You Test for Chancroid?

Chancroid can be hard to diagnose because it resembles other STIs like herpes and syphilis. A provider will usually:

  • Perform a physical exam of any visible ulcers
  • Swab the ulcer to collect fluid for bacterial culture or PCR testing (if available)
  • Test for other STIs at the same time (especially syphilis, herpes, and HIV)

Because Haemophilus ducreyi is hard to grow in labs, diagnosis is often clinical — meaning providers rely on symptoms and test results for other STIs to rule things out.

How Is Chancroid Treated?

Chancroid is curable with antibiotics. Treatment not only helps the ulcers heal, but also prevents the infection from spreading and lowers the risk of HIV transmission.

Common treatment options:

  • Azithromycin (single dose)
  • Ceftriaxone (single injection)
  • Ciprofloxacin or erythromycin for 3–7 days

Most people start to feel relief within a few days of starting treatment. Large abscesses in the groin may need to be drained by a provider.

Sexual partners from the past 10 days should be notified, tested, and treated, even if they don’t have symptoms.

Complications of Chancroid

Without treatment, chancroid can lead to serious complications, especially in people with weakened immune systems or HIV.

Potential risks include:

  • Permanent genital scarring or disfigurement
  • Abscesses or ruptured lymph nodes
  • Spread of infection to other areas of the body
  • Increased susceptibility to HIV and other STIs

Prompt treatment dramatically reduces these risks.

Outlook & Prognosis

With proper antibiotics, chancroid usually clears up within 7 to 14 days. Pain and swelling often improve after a few days of treatment. Deep ulcers or abscesses may take longer to fully heal.

The key is early diagnosis — chancroid is rare, and symptoms are often misdiagnosed. If you develop genital sores or swollen lymph nodes, get tested and treated promptly.

Living With Chancroid

A chancroid diagnosis can feel confusing, especially since most people have never heard of it. But it’s treatable — and you’re not alone.

Until healed:

  • Avoid sex, even with condoms, to prevent spreading the infection
  • Take all medications as prescribed
  • Follow up with your provider if symptoms don’t improve

You should also get a full STI screening — chancroid is often found alongside other infections.

How to Tell Your Partner(s) You Have Chancroid

It’s not an easy conversation, but it’s the responsible one. Keep it simple and direct:

“I was recently diagnosed with chancroid. It’s a treatable infection that causes sores and spreads through sex. I’ve started treatment, but you may want to get checked or treated too.”

Let them know:

  • Chancroid is curable with antibiotics
  • Many people don’t have obvious symptoms
  • You’re sharing this because you care about their health, not to assign blame

Honest communication can help your partner protect themselves — and prevent future spread.

Last reviewed: May 2025
This content is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the latest medical guidelines.

  • Caused by: Bacteria (Haemophilus ducreyi)
  • Spread through: Skin-to-skin contact during sex; contact with infected sores or fluids
  • Symptoms: Painful genital ulcers, swollen groin lymph nodes, possible pus or bleeding
  • Testing: Clinical exam, ulcer swab for culture or PCR (when available)
  • Treatment: Antibiotics (azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, or erythromycin)
  • Risk if untreated: Scarring, abscesses, HIV transmission, genital disfigurement
  • How common: Rare in the U.S.; more common in developing regions or underserved sexual health networks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chancroid?

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection that causes painful sores on the genitals. It’s caused by a bacteria and is curable with antibiotics.

How do you get chancroid?

Chancroid spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact during sex — including vaginal, anal, or oral contact — especially when ulcers are present.

What does a chancroid sore look like?

It usually starts as a red bump that turns into a soft, painful open sore with jagged edges and a pus-filled base.

Is chancroid the same as herpes or syphilis?

No. Herpes causes clusters of blisters, syphilis causes a firm, painless sore, and chancroid causes a soft, painful ulcer. Only testing can tell them apart.

How is chancroid diagnosed?

Providers look at symptoms and may swab the ulcer for lab testing. Often, it’s a diagnosis of exclusion after ruling out herpes and syphilis.

Is chancroid common in the U.S.?

It’s rare in the U.S., but it still appears occasionally, especially among people with multiple partners or limited access to care.

How long does chancroid take to heal?

With antibiotics, most ulcers begin to improve within 3 to 5 days and fully heal in about 1 to 2 weeks.

What if chancroid isn’t treated?

It can cause genital scarring, abscesses, and increase your risk of HIV. In severe cases, sores can rupture and become infected.

Can women get chancroid?

Yes. Women may have ulcers on the vulva or labia, which can cause pain during sex or urination — though symptoms are sometimes less noticeable.

Can you get chancroid more than once?

Yes. Having it once doesn’t make you immune. You can be reinfected if exposed again.

Should I get tested for other STIs too?

Absolutely. Chancroid often occurs alongside other STIs, especially syphilis, herpes, or HIV.

Can I still have sex while being treated?

No. You should avoid sex until all sores have healed and your provider confirms you’re no longer contagious.

Does having chancroid mean someone cheated?

Not necessarily. Symptoms can appear days after exposure, and some people may not know they’re infected.

Do partners need treatment too?

Yes. Anyone you’ve had sex with in the past 10 days should be examined and treated, even if they have no symptoms.

Is chancroid dangerous?

It can be if left untreated — especially due to its link with increased HIV transmission. But with antibiotics, it’s curable and manageable.

Changing the conversation about sexual health.

© 2025 by Chekd Health

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this website and associated media is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace professional medical guidance. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding STI testing, diagnosis, and treatment.