Molluscum

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What is Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a poxvirus. It is a virus that lives in the skin. A molluscum skin infection usually appears 1 to 3 months after you are exposed to the virus. The virus can
last on your body from 6 months to 2 years.
How is it transmitted?
  • Skin-to-skin contact
  • Wet towels, gym equipment and tanning beds
  • Sexual contact
  • It can be spread to other parts of the body when you scratch the bumps and then touch another body part
What are the symptoms?
  • Molluscum causes small, smooth, pearly white or flesh-colored hard bumps with a pitted or dimpled centre.
  • You can have one or a group of bumps anywhere on the body.
  • In sexually active people, these bumps may be found on the genitals, inner thighs, or abdomen.
  • The bumps can last from 6 months to 2 years. Once the bumps are gone so is the virus.
  • If scratched, the bumps can become infected with bacteria and may be tender or red.
How is it treated?

The bumps will usually go away on their own in 6 to 12 months. Very rarely, bumps will stay up to 2 years. Molluscum can be treated by freezing with liquid nitrogen or applying a prescription cream.
How do I get tested?

A health care professional diagnoses molluscum after examining the skin.

Remember:

Any infection in the genital area may increase the risk of becoming infected with HIV.

Practicing safer sex by using latex or polyurethane condoms and/or oral dams for anal, oral or vaginal sex can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted or blood borne infections (STBBIs).

Call the Sexual Health Infoline Ontario at 1-800-668-2437 if you have questions or need help.

For more information on molluscum, please consult this website: www.sexandu.ca

Sexual Health Centre

179 Clarence St,

Ottawa. ON K1N5P7

613-234-4641 | TTY: 613-580-9656


 

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