Topic: Donovanosis
Description
Donovanosis is a sexually transmissible infection. It is an infection of the skin of the genitals, groin and anal area caused by a bacteria Calymmatobacterium granulomatis. It causes ulcers and destruction of the skin.
Symptoms
After infection, a small ulcer, sore or lump develops in the genital area. This spreads slowly as an ulcer or as a raised red fleshy lump that progressively destroys normal skin.
Common sites of infection are the tip of the penis, the skin just outside the vagina and the skin around the anus.
Transmission
You get donovanosis by sexual contact with a person who has ulcers or sores due to this disease.
Treatment
Scrapings from the ulcer or sore can be tested for donovanosis. There are other causes of genital ulcers, so other tests would be done at the same time.
Antibiotics can be given which will cure the disease. Depending of the length of time since infection and the stage of infection, antibiotics may need to be taken for several weeks. It can take some months for the ulcers or sores to heal.
To ensure the infection has been cured:
- it is important to take all the tablets, otherwise the infection may not be properly cured
- do not have sex until you have finished treatment and you have returned to your doctor or clinic for a follow-up appointment.
If you find out that you do have donovanosis, anyone you have had sex with in the past few months will also need to have a sexual health check. This is to make sure that they are free of the infection and to prevent you being re-infected. If you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about telling your partner, the doctor and nurse will assist by contacting your partner or partners. Your name is not mentioned to ensure it is a confidential process. Remember, it is very important for your partner’s health and the health of other people they have sex with.
Health Outcome
If not treated, the ulcer will persist and will slowly and progressively get bigger. It can destroy large areas of skin.
Infections that cause ulcers and sores around the genitals increase the risk of the spread of HIV.
It is uncommon in Australia, occurring mostly in remote areas of northern Australia. Throughout the world, it occurs commonly in tropical and sub-tropical areas, particularly Papua New Guinea, areas of central America, southern Africa and southern India.
Prevention
- You should not have sex with someone who has a visible genital ulcer or sore. Genital ulcers or sores could be due to some other sexually transmissible infection – such as herpes, genital warts, syphilis, molluscum or scabies. If your sexual partner or intended sexual partner has a genital sore or ulcer, advise that person to have a sexual health check.
- If you are planning to visit or live in a developing country, find out about diseases that occur there and how they are best avoided.
- Practise safer sex. Always using condoms when you have vaginal or anal sex is the best way to avoid getting an infection. Using water-based lubricant with condoms is recommended.
- If you or your partner have more than one sexual partner and do not use condoms, have regular sexual health checkups.
Help and Assistance
For more information on donovanosis, you can talk to:
- your local doctor
- your local sexual health
- your local family planning clinic.
Other Resources
Queensland Health Sexual Health website
Related Content
Last Updated: 1st August, 2008
Date Valid to: 31st December, 2008
