Donovanosis
Remember, think horses, not zebras. Genital herpes and syphilis are far more common. And either way: you’re going to be okay - American Sexual Health Association
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image by: Global Health Teams
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Donovanosis: Why This Is Called A ‘Flesh Eating’ Sexually Transmitted Infection
Typically, you want to keep anything labeled as “flesh-eating” as far away from your genitals as possible. That’s true whether you are dealing with flesh-eating piranhas, flesh-eating politicians, flesh-eating underwear, or the “flesh-eating” sexually transmitted infection (STI) known as donovanosis. The word “donovanosis” may look like an oasis created by Donovan. But instead donovanosis is caused by a bacteria named Klebsiella granulomatis that can progressively destroy your genital tissue.
Do we have your attention yet? Well, donovanosis, otherwise known as granuloma inguinale, has been getting some attention in the U.K. of late. That’s because Robbie Purves writing for Birmingham…
Resources
Treatment
Azithromycin 1 gm orally once weekly or 500 mg daily for > 3 weeks and until all lesions have completely healed.
Please stop freaking out about ‘flesh-eating’ sexually transmitted infections
Left unchecked, the ulcerations can spread and eat away at healthy tissue—this is what happens when many sorts of bacterial infections in your skin go untreated. This is not a fate commonly associated with Donovanosis, nor is it a fate unique to Donovanosis (or, for that matter, sexually transmitted infections). “Flesh-eating” is just a scary way of saying an infection is destroying tissue. Left totally untreated, Donovanosis can be dangerous. But totally untreated, gonorrhea and chlamydia can also be dangerous. So can a sore throat.
'Flesh-Eating' STI Reportedly Confirmed in the UK
Known as granuloma inguinale or donovanosis, the STI is caused by a bacteria and rarely occurs in the US.
A Flesh-Eating STI Called Donovanosis Has Been Reported In the U.K.
Donovanosis isn't your run-of-the-mill STI. According to the CDC, the bacterial infection starts out similarly to other STIs with painless bumps. The CDC describes them as "beefy red" lesions but they can be difficult for a non-doctor to identify,
Donovanosis: Why This Is Called A ‘Flesh Eating’ Sexually Transmitted Infection
The word “donovanosis” may look like an oasis created by Donovan. But instead donovanosis is caused by a bacteria named Klebsiella granulomatis that can progressively destroy your genital tissue.
Red Book
Initial lesions of this sexually transmitted genital ulcerative disease are single or multiple painless subcutaneous nodules that gradually ulcerate. These nontender, granulomatous ulcers have raised, rolled margins, are beefy red and highly vascular, and bleed readily on contact.
CDC
Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) is a genital ulcerative disease caused by the intracellular gram-negative bacterium Klebsiella granulomatis (formerly known as Calymmatobacterium granulomatis). The disease occurs rarely in the United States; however, sporadic cases have been described in India, South Africa, and South America.
StatPearls
The prognosis for uncomplicated donovanosis is positive with appropriate treatment. There is the possibility of relapse, which can occur even after symptoms appear to have resolved.
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