The disease can occur worldwide but is especially common in subtropical and tropical areas. Symptoms occur 3 to 5 days, or as long as 14 days, following sex with an infected person. Chancroid is contagious as long as the infected person has open sores, and reinfection can occur immediately following cure. There is no evidence of natural resistance. Even though chancroid bacteria are increasingly resistant to antibiotics, treatment is still effective.
Condoms reduce the risk of transmission.
Chlamydia is a common and serious infection caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium and occurs worldwide. Chlamydia is transmitted during vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact with an infected partner. A pregnant woman may pass the infection to her newborn during delivery, causing serious eye infection or pneumonia. Though most often symptomless, chlamydia may produce symptoms, such as abnormal genital discharge or pain during urination, usually 6 to 19 days following sex with an infected person. Chlamydia can be treated and cured with oral antibiotics.