Genital ulcer adenopathy syndrome

This chapter investigates genital ulcer adenopathy syndrome. The control and prevention of genital ulcer disease (GUD) is an important public health priority. Ulcerative lesions may produce local genital pain, some pathogens are transmitted from mothers to their infants, and genital lesions increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition and transmission following sexual intercourse. The most commonly transmitted GUD diagnosis and etiologies are syphilis, herpes simplex, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and granuloma inguinale or donovanosis. Trauma, erosive balanitis, and fixed drug eruptions are common nontransmissible causes of GUD. Treatment traditionally has been initiated only once a laboratory diagnosis has been established; however, the delay inherent in obtaining laboratory results makes it necessary to initiate empiric syndromic therapy at the time of the initial visit. The selected syndromic therapy should be effective for syphilis.