Chancroid should be mentioned, although this sexually transmitted disease is unusual in temperate climates. It is caused by a small organism which infects a man’s penis or a woman’s vulva. Within 3 to 7 days of having sexual intercourse with an infected partner, one or more small, painful pimples appear on the man’s penis, usually on the skin covering the shaft of the penis. Quite quickly the pimples increase in size and then ulcerate to form small, soft-edged, ragged-shaped ulcers, with grey pus-covered centres. At the same time the glands in the man’s groins become swollen and reddened. Provided the man seeks treatment, cure is certain. But the disease is painful.
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