In one-half of untreated cases, the chancroid bacteria infects and swells the lymph glands in the genital area. The glands become larger, hard and painful. How soon do symptoms appear Symptoms usually appear four to seven days after exposure. Chancroid can be passed to others as long as the infected person has open sores and continues to have unprotected sex. The open sores contain the germs and any contact with these sores can result in infection.
Untreated chancroid can result in progressive ulcers occurring on the genitals.
Sometimes the ulcers persist for weeks or months. A person can get chancroid more than once. Chancroid may be successfully treated with certain antibiotics. Lesions and ulcers can be expected to heal within two weeks. Abstinence is the only sure way to avoid STDs.