Chancroid, LGV and Granuloma Inguinale

While all three of these STDs are relatively rare, they can lead to serious consequences if misdiagnosed and/or left untreated. They are all characterized by open genital sores that may be mistaken for herpes or syphilis legions. Contact with infected areas usually transmits these infections.

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is caused by a rare type of Chlamydia. It can cause a very serious and painful rectal infection or cause urethritis, sometimes with big lymph nodes in the groin. LGV was a problem in gay/bi men in Seattle and throughout much of the U.S. before HIV. LGV is on the rise again! There has recently been a major outbreak among men who had unprotected sex with other men in the Netherlands, and now several cases have been reported in New York and San Francisco. Since it is difficult to diagnose, some of these cases went unnoticed at first, which leads public health officials to believe that more cases have gone undetected.

Chancroid and LGV must be diagnosed through laboratory tests, while granuloma inguinale can be identified by visual inspection alone. All three conditions are treatable with antibiotics, although HIV infection can make chancroid resistant to treatment. In addition, any STD that includes open sores makes it easier to transmit HIV, which is usually concentrated at the site of a lesion.

For more information contact your health care provider or the Seattle/King County HIV/STD Hotline at (206) 205-STDS.

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