can it be on the face?

I went to the Dactor and was told I had an infected hair on my vagina opening. I now think that I have baterial vaginitis and I was wondering if it was possible to spred "bv" to my partner and if so would this cause red bumb on his face or do you think I had someting else? Please help me!!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Confusion between "an infected hair" and bacterial vaginosis [not vaginitis] doesn't compute; the symptoms and signs are entirely different.  What symptoms to you have that make you think you have BV?  Why did you go to the doctor?  Did s/he examine vaginal fluid under a microscope or otherwise check for BV?  Were tests for other STDs done?  ("Infected hair" implies a lesion of some sort--like herpes???)

Having said all that, no, BV would not cause any problem on a partner's face.  His red bumb (bump?) probably is just acne.

I'll try to help more if you can provide more information.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[c3po]

could it be molluscom contagiosum? i heard molluscom is smaller red bumps as well but not spread over the body in adults mostlikely.  
on hte same topic, could molluscom be spread to your partner's mouth?  inside or outside on theliips?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Yes, molluscum contagiosum causes red bumps; look for a shiny surface, with some lesions having a dimple in the middle.  Molluscum in or around the mouth is rare in adults, although common in young children.  It probably happens, but I have never seen a case (except in people with advance AIDS, who sometimes get molluscum of the face).

HHH, MD

[HHH,MD]

But if the bump on your partner's face is red shiny and/or has a dimple, it could be molluscum.  He should see a health care provider to check it out.

HHH, MD

[c3po]

Thanks doc for the reply.  no there is no bump on her face i was just wondering if you could transmit it through oral sex.  

one followup question:  how long after teh doctor destroys the lesions are they still contagious?  i ask b/c my doctor removed mine on monday and my girlfriend is coming into town tomorrow night.  i want to know if it's still contagious.   my doctor told me that you're not contagious after about 3 days, even though the lesions are still scabbed over.  thanks a lot!!!!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I suspect that a person who has had MC remains contagious for at least a month.  In other words, I would wait for a month after the last lesion was completely healed (i.e., the scab has dried and fallen off by itself) before resuming sex with a new partner.  But you and your girlfriend can resume sex at any time; you probably aren't going to transmit the infection back and forth.

HHH, MD

[c3po]

wait, you said that you are contagious for a month but that my girlfriend and i can continue having sex and won't pass it back and forth to each other.  which is it?