Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV):
Information for adults

In the first stage of lymphogranuloma venereum, after a 3–30 day early development (incubation) period, a small painless bump or pus-filled lesion forms (on the penis, scrotum, vulva, or in the vagina) that may wear away to form an open sore (ulcer). This lesion often has no symptoms and heals without scarring within about a week.

The second (inguinal) stage begins 2–6 weeks after the first lesion appears and consists of painful swelling of the groin or other lymph nodes. You may have symptoms of fever, chills, and fatigue. About one third of infected people develop a "groove sign" caused by pressure from the tight ligament separating the groin lymph nodes. These nodes join together to form "buboes," which may split open and drain, or they may become hard and then slowly heal on their own. Women may not have any visible lymph node and have only mild back or belly pain. If the infection is in the anus, you may have blood or mucus coming out from the opening to the large intestine (rectum).

The third stage of disease is called the genitoanorectal syndrome. Particularly in women, this stage may be the first time symptoms are seen. Men and women who have been infected in the anus have rectal infection (proctocolitis), which can cause pain with defecation, deep boils (abscesses), and scarring. When infection is in the genital tract, the lymphatic system may be damaged, causing enormous swelling of the genitals as well as draining from scarred areas of the skin caused by deep tissue infection.