Lymphogranuloma Venereum Foundation

by Elizabeth Campbell

The Lymphogranuloma Venereum is another kind of a STD. It affects the lymph nodes, and the entire lymphatic system. The infection is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia Trachomatis. The bacterium enters the human body through a break in the skin.

The virus is also able to invade the layer of epithelial cells if it enters a mucous membrane. As soon as the bacterium enters the skin, it gradually moves to the lymphatic channels. Once ensconced there, it will start to multiply. It is a rare disease, especially in Europe. Generally, the people who contract this disease are those already sick with HIV AIDS.

The numbers show that ever since 2004, 341 people were infected with the bacteria in the United Kingdom, and 80 such cases were reported on the United States of America territory. Because this is a hard to determine diagnosis, the specialists in the field think that the number of infected people is considerably higher than the official reports. The disease is usually transmitted through sexual contact. When the contamination is made this way, the symptoms are at the skin level in the genital area.

The disease causes the formation of abscesses in the genital area, localized at the level of the lymph nodes. If the bacteria enter the human body rectally, that is where the buboes will show up. This is usually determined by contamination through anal sexual contact. It can also affect the throat, but the cases of such a manifestation of the disease are rare. If that is the case, however, the abscesses will be visible at the neck level.

First indications of the disease are not severe, such as development of a painless genital ulcer. Generally, the women do not show any symptoms during the early stage of the infection as the first wounds develop in the vaginal walls. This is also the primary indications for men. The ulcers can be healed in a few days and the condition can be discovered after some time.

This disease is characterized by the enlargement of the lymph nodes, which at first can be painful. The areas where the lymph nodes are located can also be the area where the infection localizes, which causes the inflammation as well as thinning of the skin.

The next stage of the disease could be formation of abscesses, strictures, fistulas, and necrosis, among others. If the illness is diagnosed and treated promptly, the disease could be completely healed. However, if after the second stage and the disease are still not treated, then development continues. The third stage can cause an increase in the interstitial liquid of the organs and fibrosis, which are the irreversible effects of the bacteria.

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