Other names	Soft sore, soft chancre
Cause	Bacteria - Haemophillus ducreyi
Distribution	Countries with warm humid climates for example Africa, Asia and South America.
Transmission	Sexual
Incubation:	3 - 7 days
Symptoms	Multiple painful ulcers and painful swollen lymph glands (buboes) in one or both groins. The ulcers are irregular in outline, covered with pus and bleed easily.
Diagnosis	Physical examination Microscopic examination of the pus Culture for Haemophillus ducreyi Blood test to exclude syphilis
Treatment	Co-trimoxazole (a sulphonamide containing antibiotic) and tetracycline by mouth or injections of streptomycin or a cephalosporin antibiotic.Analgesics (painkillers) can be taken to relieve pain. Drainage of buboes (lymph glands) if they become pus-filled. Careful cleaning with saline (prepared by dissolving one teaspoonful of table salt in one pint of water) will aid healing.
Complications	Buboes may rupture. Ulcers on the fireskin may cause severe sweklling of the foreskin and strangulation of the shaft of the penis. Immediate surgery is required to relieve  the constriction.
Comments	Chancroid and syphilis may occur together. Blood tests are therefore routinely performed to exclude syphilis.