Question about Mollescum Contagiosum

[Quickquestion23]

Good evening doctors,

How are you this evening/morning? Hopefully you had a great weekend. So you may or may not remember me as one of the many posters on here who have overreacted, and asked anxiety driven questions (and anxiety driven followup questions!) I would just like to inform you that I calm down a little. I recently found out that I have genital warts (quick note, If you check my prior posts, it was not what I was asking in the dermatologist forum. It was something completely different) From what I read its not a big deal and I will be okay after roughly 6 wart free months, I got them frozen off and am keeping a casual eye out.  

So I was searching the forum for answers to the questions I am about to ask (which I have an inkling what it might be) about Mollescum Contagiosum. Reason asking is to ***** a risk. From what I had thought, I had the safest sex possible. I had condom protected oral sex with a prostitute for a brief period, then I masterbaited myself with the condom on for a while, then took it off and finished on her.

Somehow after all this, Mollescum Contagiosum pops in my head and my curiosity is killing me.

So the questions I have are.

1. How is Mollescum Contagiosum transmitted?
2. Can it be passed on through receipt of oral sex?
3. Can it be passed on through saliva? (It would be indirect saliva contact ie from my hand)
4. Should this even be a concern? Should any STD be a concern?

I figured that for it to be passed on through saliva, she would have to have an oral infection.

Ive gotten better at managing my anxiety, oddly enough being diagnosed with genital warts helped. But I figured what would it hurt to ask, plus i'm supporting a wonderful forum in the process.
    

[Quickquestion23]

Or at least trying too!

[Quickquestion23]

Thank you for answering my questions. I appreciate the patience. Not too many people have patience on a self diagnosed hypochondriac lol.

I know myself that worrying like this is crazy. As i'm sure you can tell from my past posts that I have an unhealthy habit of worrying about things that are unnecessary/implausible. I am going to seek professional help as all this constant stress is interfering with living my life.

Thank you once again. I truly appreciate you knocking some sense into me.    

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Final answers:  the lesions you describe do not sound like HSV at all.  The lesions of HSV are bigger and break open spontaneously.  If the lesions you have noticed are new (they may not be, you seem to be focused on your genitalial and thus may simply be noting othersie normal genital structures), they are most unlikely to be an STI of any sort.

In answer to your questions:
1. Does this sound at all like herpes? (Early herpes even)
No, not in the least.

2. Can herpes show up this late? 3+months after exposure.
Rarely.

3. Does the absence of pain suggest that it is not herpes?
HSV lesions are typically uncomfortable.

4. Can herpes be this small?
Not typically.

5. Could this just be another genital wart? (It does not look like any of the other ones I have.)
No way to tell without examination. Seems unlikely however.

EWH

[Quickquestion23]

Hey There Doc,

I wanted to know if I could ask a couple of follow up questions? If not, I will post a new question.

Last night I noticed a pin sized red bump on my foreskin. It is no bigger than 1 millimeter in diameter. It is not sore and I cannot tell if it is liquid filled or not. I tried to "pop" it but was unable to. There is also another red bump maybe 2 inches roughly away. Same situation

Now I know for a fact that this cannot be from the sexual exposure noted earlier. My last sexual encounter prior to that was in late December and that was unprotected oral/vaginal. I did a full std panel 31 days after this, as well as a HIV-RNA test in early February. All came back negative.

My questions are:

1. Does this sound at all like herpes? (Early herpes even)
2. Can herpes show up this late? 3+months after exposure.
3. Does the absence of pain suggest that it is not herpes?
4. Can herpes be this small?
5. Could this just be another genital wart? (It does not look like any of the other ones I have.)

I thank you in advance. I know im a pain...

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm pleased I could help.  EWH

[Quickquestion23]

Thanks Dr Hook for your reply. I know, very odd and out of the blue question. That is kinda what I gathered on my own, (I just could not find any information on oral transmission probability) . I was just overreacting again!

There was not direct oral contact, only indirect saliva contact. From what I gathered from other posts indirect saliva/genital fluid contact with the genitals carries little risk, even if used as masterbaition lubricant.

I feel much better.

Anyways have a great evening and have a happy Monday!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  I'll be happy to comment.  Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection, most often of skin and very rarely of mucous membranes which is spread from person to person through direct contact.  The infection is actually most common in children, perhaps because through playing and rough housing they tend to rub against one another.   The infection can also occur in adults as an STI, again being transmitted through direct genital rubbing.  Friction seems to promote transmission.  The virus is moderately contagious and thus can be sread if a MC lesions is scraped of shaved.  It is not all that common as an STI and oral MC is very rare.  

1. How is Mollescum Contagiosum transmitted?
See above.

2. Can it be passed on through receipt of oral sex?
MC is no traditionally thought of as an orally transmitted STI.  I won't say in will never happen but it certainly would be unusual.

3. Can it be passed on through saliva? (It would be indirect saliva contact ie from my hand)
No, the direct contact and friction appear to be important in MC transmission.

4. Should this even be a concern? Should any STD be a concern?
I would not be concerned about MC.  Condoms, while not 100% protective, should reduce risk for this already uncommon STI.

I hope this comment is helpful. EWH