Molluscum Contagiosum Concerns

Hello Dr. Thanks in advance for your time,

       I  just want to give you a brief history, and then ask a few questions. In November of 08, I was diagnosed with molluscum (3 lesions,) in my pubic area. To this day, I am still not sure where I picked up the virus. I had two treatments with my derm, and have been fighting ones that have continuously cropped up since. I have been with my current girlfriend for 2 months, but before becoming physical with her I went back to the derm who gave me an extensive looking over and declared me all clear. Within a month of that visit, I have found one spot that I am certain was a mollusca, and two spots that were "questionable" but that I treated as molluscum. I have had sex with my girlfriend now under the impression that I was all clear.In the time that I have had it, I have been able to research this virus thoroughly. The internet is truly a gift and a curse as I have found conflicting information just like many others. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.

1. I seem to be finding (1) lesion at a time. In your experience, is that a regular occurence?

2. Only one of the lesions since the original ones I noticed have had an umbilicated appearance. I am still not sure what the waxy core that everyone mentions is, because personally I can't make it out even under a magnifying glass.

3. I think the most frustrating thing is varying info about transmission and immunity. I have read that it is not as contagious as most make it out to be.I figure the virus would be running amuk and even more prevalent if that weren't true.

4. In your experience have you seen a lot of instances where an infected person has not passed it on to their partner?
My concern is that after being labeled clear and having sex, that I exposed my girlfriend to that virus at that time (although I did not see any lesions at the time)


Thank you for helping me ease some of this anxiety...BTW I HAVE told my GF about this.

-WL02

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

1. I seem to be finding (1) lesion at a time. In your experience, is that a regular occurrence?

No. I am not at all sure that you're finding is actually a molluscum, or whether you're overinterpreting minor bumps that have nothing to do with molluscum.  Please stop diagnosing and treating yourself.

2. Only one of the lesions since the original ones I noticed have had an umbilicated appearance. I am still not sure what the waxy core that everyone mentions is, because personally I can't make it out even under a magnifying glass.

Maybe that's because what you're calling a molluscum isn't.

3. I think the most frustrating thing is varying info about transmission and immunity. I have read that it is not as contagious as most make it out to be.I figure the virus would be running amuk and even more prevalent if that weren't true.

I see several cases of mollusca every week, and almost never does anyone around have it.

4. In your experience have you seen a lot of instances where an infected person has not passed it on to their partner?

Yes, practically every one.

My concern is that after being labeled clear and having sex, that I exposed my girlfriend to that virus at that time (although I did not see any lesions at the time)

I don't think your concern is appropriate.  I suggest once again that you stop trying to diagnose and trust yourself via personal inspection and the internet.  You are doing yourself no favors.  Leave your bumps alone and see a doctor about any that concern you.

Dr. Rockoff