Where There Is No Doctor 2011 403
Signs:
• One or more very small, painful
blisters, like drops of water on the
skin, appear on the genitals, anus,
buttocks or thighs.
• The blisters burst and form small,
open sores that are very painful.
• The sores dry up and become
scabs.
on a man
on a woman
The herpes sores can last for 3 weeks or more, with fever, aches, chills, and
swollen lymph nodes in the groin. There may be pain when the woman pees.
The virus stays in the body after all the signs disappear. New blisters can appear
at any time, from weeks to years later. Usually the new sores appear in the same
place, but are fewer, not as painful, and heal more quickly.
Treatment:
There is no medicine that cures herpes, but it can be controlled with acyclovir
(see p. 373). Keep the area clean. Do not have sex until all the sores are healed—
not even with a condom.
Always wash hands with soap and water after touching the sores. Be very careful
not to touch the eyes. A herpes infection in the eyes can cause blindness.
CAUTION: If a woman has herpes sores when she gives birth, her baby can get
it. This is very dangerous. Let your health worker or midwife know if you have ever
had genital herpes.
Chancroid
Signs:
• soft, painful sores on the
genitals or anus
• enlarged lymph nodes (bubos)
may develop in the groin
Treatment:
on a man
on a woman
♦ Give 1 g. of azithromycin by mouth in 1 dose, or erythromycin 500 mg. by
mouth, 4 times daily for 7 days, or ciprofloxacin 500 mg. by mouth 2 times
a day for 3 days. You can also give ceftriaxone, 250 mg. by intramuscular
injection, as a single dose. Pregnant women and children should not take
ciprofloxacin.
♦ Generally, it is best to treat for syphilis at the same time (see p. 237).