Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) sometimes also transmitted by nonsexual contact. It’s mainly found in tropical regions. Symptoms appear one to 12 weeks after infection. They start with painless red bumps and progress to sores on your genitals. Providers use antibiotics to treat this condition, though it may return despite treatment.
Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) is a bacterial infection of your genitals. It’s a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI). In rare cases, someone can contract granuloma inguinale through nonsexual contact.
Donovanosis causes sores on your genitals. Without treatment, this condition worsens over time. It can lead to scarring of your genitals, chronic inflammation and, sometimes, cancer. Antibiotics usually successfully treat granuloma inguinale.
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Most people who have granuloma inguinale are sexually active adults between the ages of 20 and 40. But there have been several cases in newborns and infants. These cases may come from nonsexual contact with infected adults or an infected mother giving birth.
People in the U.S. rarely get granuloma inguinale. But this condition still occurs in tropical and subtropical countries, including:
Donovanosis used to be common in Australia, but numbers have decreased in recent years.
Bacteria called Klebsiella granulomatis causes granuloma inguinale. Anyone who has vaginal or anal sex with a partner with granuloma inguinale can pass on these bacteria.
In rare cases, you can also pass on these bacteria through:
Symptoms of granuloma inguinale usually show up from one to 12 weeks after infection. Sometimes, symptoms won’t appear for up to a year.
The first symptom of granuloma inguinale is a painless red bump (lesion or ulcer) on or close to your genitals. This bump may bleed easily.
The bump slowly grows into a round red lump with irregular edges. The lump then breaks down into a sore that has a bad smell and may be painful.
Men and people assigned male at birth usually have these sores on their groin, thigh and external parts of the male reproductive system, including the:
Women and people assigned female at birth usually have these sores on parts of the female reproductive system, including the:
You might also find sores on your anus and buttocks if STI transmission happens during anal intercourse. They can sometimes show up around your mouth if you engaged in oral sex with a person who was infected.
These sores keep growing and can spread to nearby tissue. Sores also continue to spread without treatment.
A healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and symptoms. They’ll do a physical exam to look for sores on and around your genital areas.
If your provider suspects donovanosis, they’ll ask if you’ve:
To help diagnose donovanosis, your provider may:
Your provider will treat granuloma inguinale with antibiotics. You usually take these antibiotics for at least three weeks. It’s important to finish all of your medication for it to work. Your provider may also give you an antibiotic injection, either in your muscle or through a vein.
Though antibiotics usually successfully treat granuloma inguinale, you may also need surgery if you have extensive damage to your tissues.
If you have untreated granuloma inguinale, the infection may spread to your:
Other complications of untreated donovanosis may include:
You can reduce your risk of donovanosis by:
Treated granuloma inguinale can start healing within seven days. But sores may heal more slowly and leave scars.
Treatment with antibiotics usually successfully stops granuloma inguinale. But sometimes, sores can come back even with treatment.
Donovanosis can return six to 18 months after you complete antibiotics. Even if your treatment seems successful, you should continue to see your provider regularly for checkups.
If a provider diagnoses you with donovanosis, let your current sex partners know. If you’ve had any sexual contact within 60 days of your symptoms appearing, your partners need to see a provider for examination and treatment.
You should stop any sexual activity until you complete treatment and your sores heal fully. Your provider may also test you for HIV, as sores that bleed increase your risk.
See a healthcare provider if you:
Granuloma inguinale may spread to your abdomen, bones or liver. See your provider if you experience any of these symptoms after treatment:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterial infection of your genitals. In rare cases, a person can also contract it through skin-to-skin contact. Granuloma inguinale is rare in the U.S. but is still found in tropical and subtropical countries. Symptoms generally appear from one to 12 weeks after infection, though some may not show up for a year.
Donovanosis usually starts with a painless red bump on your genitals that becomes a sore. These sores can spread without treatment. Providers use antibiotics to treat granuloma inguinale. Symptoms may return six to 18 months after treatment, so providers recommend regular checkups. See a healthcare provider if you develop symptoms or sores on or near your genitals.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/30/2022.
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