Molluscum Contagiosum 

What is Molluscum Contagiosum? 

This is a skin disease caused by the  molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), usually causing one or more small lesions/bumps. MCV is generally a benign infection and symptoms may self-resolve. MCV was once a disease primarily of children, but it has evolved to become a sexually transmitted disease in adults. It is believed to be a member of the pox virus family. 

How is it transmitted? 

• Molluscum contagiosum may be sexually transmitted by skin-to-skin contact (does not have to be mucous membranes) and/or lesions. Transmission through sexual contact is  the most common form  of transmission for adults. 
• MCV may be transmitted from inanimate objects such as towels and clothing that come  in contact with the lesions. MCV transmission has been associated with swimming pools and sharing baths with an infected person. 
• MCV also may be transmitted by autoinoculation, such as touching a lesion and touching another part  of the body. To stop from further spreading the infection, do not shave over or close to areas that are visibly infected. 

What is the incubation period (the times between when  a person is first infect  and when the person first has symptoms)? 
The incubation period averages 2 to 3 months but could range from 1 week to 6 months. 

How long is a person infectious? 
This is not known for certain, but researchers assume that if the  virus is present it may be transmitted. 

What are  the symptoms? 

• Lesions are usually present on the thighs, buttocks; groin and lower abdomen  of adults, and may occasionally appear on the external genital and anal region. 
• Children typically develop lesions on the face, trunk, legs and arms. 
• The lesions may begin as  small bumps which can develop over  a period of several weeks into larger sores/bumps. The lesions can be flesh colored, gray-white, yellow  or pink. They can cause itching or tenderness  in the area, but in  most cases the lesions cause few problems. Lesions can last  from 2 weeks  to 4 years—  the average is 2 years. 
• People with AIDS  or others with compromised immune systems  may develop extensive outbreaks. 

How can I get tested? 
Diagnosis is  usually made by the characteristic appearance of the lesion. MCV may be diagnosed by collecting a specimen from the lesion, placing it onto a slide  and staining with a Gram stain which shows changes in infected cells. Diagnosis  may be made by collecting a specimen from the lesion and viewing it under an electron microscope. 

Can molluscum be treated? 

• Most symptoms are self-resolving,  but generally lesions are removed. Removal of lesions reduces autoinoculation  and transmission to others. 
• Lesions can  be removed surgically and/or treated  with a chemical agent such as podophyllin, cantharidin, phenol, silver nitrate, trichloracetic acid  or iodine. 
• Cryotherapy is an alternative method of removal. 
• Lesions may recur, but it is  not clear whether this is due  to reinfection, exacerbation of subclinical infection, or reactivation of latent infection. 

What does  it mean for a person’s health? 
In people with HIV infection, molluscum contagiosum  is often a progressive disease. 

How can I reduce my risk? 

• Because transmission through sexual contact is the  most common form  of transmission for adults, preventing skin-to-skin contact  with an infected partner will be most effective in preventing MCV. 
• Latex condoms  or other moisture barriers for vaginal, oral,  and anal sex may help to prevent such contact. Limitations of such barriers must  be recognized as MCV does NOT require mucous membrane contact to  be passed. 
• Using spermicides is not recommended as they can irritate  the skin or vaginal tissue and, especially for women, cause abrasions (tiny openings in skin)  that may make it easier  to contract STDs. 
• Using condoms  may protect the penis or vagina from infection, but do not protect from contact  with other areas  such as the scrotum  or anal area. 
• Mutual monogamy (sex with only one uninfected partner) 

If you do get molluscum contagiosum, avoid touching  the lesion  and then touching another part of the body without washing your hands  to prevent chance of autoinoculation.