How do you catch Molluscum Contagiosum?
This infection can be spread from person to person (and especially in children) by direct skin contact.
It appears that this is more likely in wet conditions
such as when children bathe or swim together. Scratching
the lesions or bumps or touching objects that have
the virus on them will also spread the infection.
Inanimate objects such as swim suits, undergarments,
toys, doorknobs, faucet handles or towels that are
shared, can transmit the Molluscum
virus - MCV - and children can spread the lesions
to the genital area by scratching. Some
schools and day care centers will not admit children
with visible molluscum lesions.
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Sexual transmission is very possible in adults again by direct skin contact as well as vaginal, oral or anal sex. Tattoo instruments as well as beauty parlors and Turkish baths have also been suggested as a source of infection.
Anyone who has had skin-to-skin contact with the lesion of an infected person is at risk of getting the infection. This can be more severe among people with a weakened immune system.
Molluscum has a higher than average incidence within institutions and it can easily spread in those communities where overcrowding, poor hygiene and poverty are a way of life.
How do you stop the spread of Molluscum Contagiosum?
Prior to treatment, it is important to avoid touching the lesions:
- Always wash your hands carefully to avoid spreading the infection to another part of the body and use a clean towel every time when drying the infected area
- Be careful if you have to shave over the infected area as this action can also spread the molluscum.
- Don't let others use your clothing, towels, hairbrushes
or other personal items and refrain from using those
personal items belonging to others as well.
- Be aware that heat and moisture in the fold areas of the skin (such as armpits) may also hasten the spread of the virus.
- Refrain from picking and scratching at the lesions as apart from spreading the molluscum, this can lead to scarring. Obviously, if it your child who is infected you should discourage him from picking or scratching as well.
Molluscum Symptoms usually appear 2 to 12 weeks after
exposure and each lesion can last 6 to 8 weeks.
If they are not treated, then continuous spreading
can mean that the infection can last up to 8 months
and in some cases as long as 5 years. New lesions
may still form even while the existing ones are being
destroyed. Therefore new growths should be
treated as soon as they become large enough to
see. This applies both to children with this childhood
infection and to adults with this STD.
