What is Chancroid?

Also known as Ulcus molle or Soft chancre, Chancroid is an STD that manifests itself through sores that develop on the genitalia. Although it is more commonly transmitted through sexual intercourse (both vaginal and anal), it is also possible to contract this particular STD via oral sex.

Chancroid disease is a kind of viral infection that is caused primarily by a substance known as Haemophilus ducreyi. It is more rampant in underdeveloped countries wherein prostitution is widespread. It is less of an occurrence in Western countries, but the risk of contracting this disease is amplified for men that are uncircumcised.

Symptoms

Within a week of incubation, the chancroid infection develops into a small bump which in turn becomes an ulcer. Some characteristics of this ulcer include:

• It is quite painful.
• Sizes vary – anywhere between 3 and 50 mm across.
• It usually has ragged or irregular borders.
• The borders are also sharply defined.
• The base is covered by a yellowish-gray or gray material.
• The base may also bleed if it is scraped or traumatized.

For most men, only one ulcer develops. On the other hand, women usually develop four (or sometimes even more) ulcers which manifest fewer symptoms. These ulcers usually develop in specific locations in the body which may include the labia minoria and fourchette for women, and the glans penis (for uncircumcised) and the coronal sulcus for men. Chancroid is definitely one of the many sexually transmitted diseases oral sex that one would rather live without.   GP

Brief Overview

Currently, there are more than a hundred different types of HPVs that have been identified. Some types of HPVs have been known to cause warts, and these types are the safer ones as they haven’t been associated with any kind of cancer. There are also some types that do not manifest any symptoms and are practically harmless. In fact, a majority of HPV victims do not even know that they have been infected.

The good news is that HPV in women are usually temporary. Seventy percent of female patients are able to rid themselves of the disease within a year, while around ninety percent will be cured after two years.

HPV in the US

HPV has been identified as the most common STD in the whole of the United States. In fact, a majority of sexually active women and men will likely contract the infection at a certain point. Studies show that around eighty percent of all sexually active individuals will contract HPV – and this of course includes oral sex. In the year 2000, there were 6.2 million reported cases of HPV victims for Americans that were aged between fifteen and forty-four.

Although HPV may not exactly be the most dangerous type of sexually transmitted diseases oral sex, people should still be wary of this infection as it may lead to more serious conditions if it is not treated accordingly and immediately.   GP