Ulcers can also appear around the mouth.
These sores can destroy the affected skin and nearby tissue.
Donovanosis is transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Smith Collection/Gado / Contributor / Getty Images
Anyone can contract it, but people with a penis are twice as likely to acquire the infection.
This article will cover symptoms of donovanosis, transmission, testing, treatment, and more.
Reproduced with permission from DermNetdermnetnz.org2024.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2024.
A donovanosis infection starts as firm, raised lumps that become red and tender.
The four types of donovanosis are characterized by how the ulcers present.
The majority of donovanosis cases are in people age 20 to 40.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2024.
Donovanosis not only spreads during sexual contact but also during the birthing process or directly after birth.
Sexual Activity
Donavanosis is mainly transmitted from person to person via vaginal or anal intercourse.
Nonsexual Transmission
Donovanosis can also be transmitted via direct skin-to-skin contact.
This key in of transmission is also rare.
Condoms should be worn from the beginning to the end of sexual activity.
This STI is also preventable by refraining from sex with someone who has active lesions.
Research shows that donovanosis is most infectious when ulcers are present.
Donovanosis Testing: When to Go
Donovanosis needs immediate medical care to prevent complications.
You should see a healthcare provider immediately if you experience symptoms of the infection.
You should get tested if you have had sexual contact with someone who has donovanosis.
Diagnosing donovanosis involves taking skin scrapings from sores to observe cells under a microscope.
Suspected Symptoms
The most common symptom of donovanosis is slow-growing genital ulcers.
Symptoms can start as early as two weeks after infection, but it could be up to 50 days.
Ulcers may present as a beefy red color.They are painless and may bleed.
The tissue around the ulcers might feel velvety.
The lesions will expand and destroy the genital tissue and spread to the groin.
The skin of the genitals and nearby tissue may start to lose color.
To prevent a donovanosis infection while traveling out of the country, it is crucial to avoid unprotected sex.
If you decide to have sex, be sure to use condoms and other barrier methods.
Avoid sex with someone who has visible lesions or whom you think might have an STI.
It is rare in the United States.
The bacterium that causes chancroid isHaemophilus ducreyi.It attacks genital area tissue and causes open sores called chancroids.
Chancroid may also spread from skin contact with a person with the infection.
If bumps become open sores, they cause pain with urination and bowel movements.
It is given for three weeks or until the ulcers have completely healed.
A second option for treating donovanosis isdoxycycline.
It is used for a minimum of 21 days or until complete healing.Additional options are ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim.
Antibiotic treatments are given in pill form and taken by mouth.
Surgery may be needed to remove scar tissue.
This is often the case for people who wait to receive treatment.
Donovanosis can recur, and you will need a new antibiotic course.
Successful treatment means all ulcers are gone and do not return.
You may want to avoid sexual intercourse until your healthcare provider tells you that you are no longer infected.
Donovanosis ulcers typically do not spread past the genitals, perineum, and anal region.
If donovanosis goes untreated, it can progress and cause permanent damage to tissues.
Summary
Donovanosis is an STI, although it is possible to transmit it with non-sexual contact.
It is rare in the United States and mainly found in tropical and subtropical parts of the world.
Symptoms will appear two weeks to 50 days after exposure to the infection.
The earliest symptoms are painless red bumps that progress to ulcers.
Donovanosis is treated with a long course of antibiotics.
Treatment is given for at least 21 days or until sores have cleared.
Sores can return, and a second round of antibiotics will be needed to treat the infection.
you could prevent donovanosis by avoiding unprotected sex.
Use condoms and other barrier protection methods from the beginning of the sexual activity to the end.
Avoid sexual contact with anyone who has visible genital lesions.
You want to avoid sexual contact until all lesions have cleared and not returned over a reasonable time period.
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