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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Truth about MCV
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
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Truth about MCV
by frozenclams, Dec 02, 2003 12:00AM
First – thanks cutting through the BS on the net about MCV – some sites make you feel like a leper and others are just so vague. It's frustrating. I’ve been doing incredible amounts of research and have a few questions about my findings.
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (15th ed) states “Characteristically extending beyond several weeks are primary infections due to [several others] and molluscum contagiosum virus. For some of these viruses (e.g. HPV, HBV etc) and [MCV], the primary phase of infection is almost indistinguishable from the persistent phase.” It goes on to say…
“like other poxviruses, molluscum contagiosum virus cannot establish latent infection but rather causes persistent infection in hypertrophic lesions that last for months or years. Virus encodes a chemokine homologue that probably blocks inflamatory responses..."
So my questions are:
1)Doesn’t this pretty clearly state the MCV can not be recurrent -that recurrence is actually the primary infection not having been dealt with properly?
2)I have found a couple of references that say the body will actually get rid of the virus in time – rather than hold it sequestered like a common hand wart virus – Do you agree?
3)If this virus does stick around – even harmlessly – where is it? In the skin that was infected or in your blood or both?
4)If you had to put a percentage to it – how many cases out of 100 that have you seen have had recurrence after the first year? And of those – how many seem to be reinfection and how many recurrence of the original fully treated infection?
5)Just a couple of books (out of dozens) have mentioned saliva (one book said only if the MC was on the face) – Do people that have had MC need to worry about transmitting this way – i.e –(I had it on my butt) if I perform oral sex - will my partner develop MC because of my saliva? If I lick his neck – will he get it?
6)Since I only had it on my butt – should I prevent someone from performing anal oral sex on me? If yes – forever? Or a period of time?
7)I was recently dating someone that couldn’t get past the MC infection – I was
treated 7 months ago and have been given an all clear every month for 5 months – I’m wondering if there is any hard statistical data to show him he is in no danger - I am even willing to wait a full year before we have sex if it would make him feel better – I’d still like to try to work it out --- any thing would help…I am even willing to wait a full year before we have sex if it would make him feel better – I’d still like to try to work it out --- any thing would help…
8)Would weekly salt bathes and use of St. John’s wart cream help cure any tiny MC that might be around? Any preventive benefit?
9)One of my doctors said saltwater and sun help MC – Since sunbathing naked is out – would once a week in a tanning bed do anything? I have lots of moles…is it going to cause more problems with potential skin cancer?
Thanks Doc.
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (15th ed) states “Characteristically extending beyond several weeks are primary infections due to [several others] and molluscum contagiosum virus. For some of these viruses (e.g. HPV, HBV etc) and [MCV], the primary phase of infection is almost indistinguishable from the persistent phase.” It goes on to say…
“like other poxviruses, molluscum contagiosum virus cannot establish latent infection but rather causes persistent infection in hypertrophic lesions that last for months or years. Virus encodes a chemokine homologue that probably blocks inflamatory responses..."
So my questions are:
1)Doesn’t this pretty clearly state the MCV can not be recurrent -that recurrence is actually the primary infection not having been dealt with properly?
2)I have found a couple of references that say the body will actually get rid of the virus in time – rather than hold it sequestered like a common hand wart virus – Do you agree?
3)If this virus does stick around – even harmlessly – where is it? In the skin that was infected or in your blood or both?
4)If you had to put a percentage to it – how many cases out of 100 that have you seen have had recurrence after the first year? And of those – how many seem to be reinfection and how many recurrence of the original fully treated infection?
5)Just a couple of books (out of dozens) have mentioned saliva (one book said only if the MC was on the face) – Do people that have had MC need to worry about transmitting this way – i.e –(I had it on my butt) if I perform oral sex - will my partner develop MC because of my saliva? If I lick his neck – will he get it?
6)Since I only had it on my butt – should I prevent someone from performing anal oral sex on me? If yes – forever? Or a period of time?
7)I was recently dating someone that couldn’t get past the MC infection – I was
treated 7 months ago and have been given an all clear every month for 5 months – I’m wondering if there is any hard statistical data to show him he is in no danger - I am even willing to wait a full year before we have sex if it would make him feel better – I’d still like to try to work it out --- any thing would help…I am even willing to wait a full year before we have sex if it would make him feel better – I’d still like to try to work it out --- any thing would help…
8)Would weekly salt bathes and use of St. John’s wart cream help cure any tiny MC that might be around? Any preventive benefit?
9)One of my doctors said saltwater and sun help MC – Since sunbathing naked is out – would once a week in a tanning bed do anything? I have lots of moles…is it going to cause more problems with potential skin cancer?
Thanks Doc.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Dec 03, 2003 12:00AM
, Dec 03, 2003 12:00AM
1&2: Molluscum goes away on its own in an average of 9 months. Of course, it may last less or more.
3: I don;t know and don't think anyone does.
4: Very low. I often see patients with HPV get recurrences, but can recall few with recurrent molluscum.
5: Not that I know of.
6: I don't think you need to be concerned.
7: No statistics I know of. He'll just have to get past the concern if he can.
8: I don't know.
9: I don't know of any connection with sun. I think you're better off taking care in the sun and having a doctor keep an eye on your moles.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
3: I don;t know and don't think anyone does.
4: Very low. I often see patients with HPV get recurrences, but can recall few with recurrent molluscum.
5: Not that I know of.
6: I don't think you need to be concerned.
7: No statistics I know of. He'll just have to get past the concern if he can.
8: I don't know.
9: I don't know of any connection with sun. I think you're better off taking care in the sun and having a doctor keep an eye on your moles.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Maybe you have seen my messages before. I somehow contracted molluscum. I have had it 7 months that I know of, at least was aware I had something other than a common pimple. I have been treated with cryo, acid, and Aldara. Last month, they came back to almost the same spot they were first frozen off on the front of my thigh(I think they may have started on my face, but have had them several places now-stomach, waist line, genital, backside, back of my thighs, possibly back). The first were removed by cryo in June (but they started in May), the second by acid. I also had quite a few more burned off my last treatment-Aldara just didn't do it. I think I have now had 3 acid treatments, and even though it hurts, I felt relief. I am still getting them, and really see no end in sight...I hope that remark doesn't make you feel worse. I have been to a dermatologist, but had most of them removed by a GYN. I think women tend to see their GYN before a dermatologist in the genital area, and my GYN says she is seeing a lot of it. She has talked to dermatologists and have been told there isn't too much you can do about it. I have not had a date since April. Have not had sex in almost a year now. I feel that until I get this skin problem under control that my social life, at least with males is on hold. It sounds as if yours went away...you are fortunate....good luck.