Chancroid symptoms typically develop 4 to 10 days after infection. Initial indication of infection involves formation of erythematous papules which develop into pustules after several days. Approximately 1-2 weeks after pustule formation, the lesions may ulcerate. Patients typically develop 1 to 4 ulcers. Lymphadenopathy develops in approximately half of patients, predominantly in males, 1 to 2 weeks after appearance of the primary ulcer. In approximately 25% of patients with lymphadenopathy, lymph nodes may swell to form fluctuant buboes which may rupture and form giant ulcers. Prognosis is poor without treatment. Complications from chancroid include: superinfection of lesions, extensive adenitis, development of inguinal abscesses, and nonhealing ulcers.

• The incubation period for H. ducreyi is typically 4 to 10 days, after which erythematous papules arise.
• Approximately 2 to 3 days after symptom onset, papules evolve into pustules.^[1]
• Pustules may resolve spontaneously or ulcerate in approximately 1-2 weeks since formation. Patients typically develop between 1 to 4 ulcers.
• Inguinal lymphadenitis develops in approximately half of patients, usually unilaterally and more commonly in males than females, 1 to 2 weeks after appearance of primary ulcer.^[2]
• In approximately 25% of patients with lymphadenitis, lymph nodes may swell to form fluctuant buboes. Untreated buboes may rupture, discharge exudate, and ulcerate.^[2]

• Superinfection of lesions by other anaerobic bacteria such as Fusobacterium and Bacteroides^[3][4]
• Phimosis in men^[2]
• Extensive adenitis in the absence of treatment
• Development of inguinal abscesses which may rupture to form a draining sinus or giant ulcer
• Nonhealing ulcers

• Chancroid is not lethal.
• Prognosis is poor without treatment. Indications of poor prognosis include:

Nonhealing ulcers

Lymphadenopathy, especially with the formation and/or rupture of buboes

Superinfection of lesions (phagedenic chancroid)

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