Women & HIV/AIDS

Genital Ulcers

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Genital ulcers can be a symptom of HIV. In the United States, most young, sexually active patients with genital ulcers have genital herpes, syphilis, or chancroid. But, for women with HIV, genital ulcers also could be a symptom of other things, like cancer or CMV. If you have ulcers, see you doctor to find out what's causing them. Below you'll find information about chancroid, herpes, and syphilis.

Chancroid (SHAN-kroid) begins with open sores on the genitals. These sores occur within a week after you get it. You may not notice the sores or have other symptoms, such as painful urination or bowel movements (BM), painful sex, rectal bleeding, or vaginal discharge. It can be hard to tell chancroid sores apart from ulcers caused by genital herpes or syphilis. See your doctor to figure out what the ulcers are. Many drugs are used to treat chancroid. If you're HIV-positive, the ulcers may heal more slowly, and the drugs are less likely to work. So, you may need to take the drugs longer than someone without HIV.

Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The main symptoms of herpes are painful blisters or open sores in the genital area. Before you get these sores, you may feel tingling or burning sensation in your legs, buttocks, or genital region. The herpes sores usually disappear within two to three weeks, but the virus never goes away. So, you can get herpes sores again. Herpes sores are more common in people with HIV and may be severe and painful, especially when CD4 cell counts are low. Herpes sores can be treated, and medicine also can help prevent future outbreaks.

Syphilis usually starts with a painless open sore that usually appears on the penis or in or around the vagina. You can also get them near the mouth, anus, or on your hands. You may not notice the first symptoms because they are very mild and go away suddenly. If you don't get treatment, syphilis gets more serious. You can get a rash and, in time, have problems with your heart and central nervous system. Syphilis is treated with penicillin. To make sure the treatment is working, you should see your doctor at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months after you start penicillin.

Additional Resources:

Publications

1.   Fact Sheet — Genital Herpes — This fact sheet provides information on genital herpes, its symptoms, ways to reduce future outbreaks, and the complications that it might cause.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/genital-herpes.cfm

2.   Fact Sheet — Syphilis — This fact sheet explains what syphilis is, how it is spread, and how best to avoid infection. It describes symptoms of syphilis and how it is diagnosed and treated. This publication also lists sources to contact for more information on syphilis.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/syphilis.cfm

3.   Genital Herpes — This fact sheet describes the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, possible complications, prevention, and current research on genital herpes. Other topics covered include re-occurrence and its role in the spread of HIV infection.

   http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/healthscience/healthtopics/genital_herpes/default.htm

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Content last updated March 4, 2009.