Molluscum

[hallogen]

First off, let me say that this site has been invaluable to me over the past few weeks. Thank you so much.



Quick question. I’ve gone to the doctor. Gotten all the tests. I told about my minor rash which is now gone. The doctor has reassured me I don’t have herpes. He has diagnosed me with molluscum though. I had a bump right at the edge of my pubic hair and a few small ones on my lower stomach. No idea where I got it. He sprayed them with nitro. He seemed to think they were pretty harmless but told me not to have sex until they were gone. I'm just starting a relationship but I don't want to tell her. Once they are gone do I have to tell every partner I’ll have that I’ve had them? In an ideal world I’m sure I would, but am I going to have to stop every potential partner and whisper in her ear, “I’ve had molluscum before so you know, watch out!” Even if I have no more bumps? Just how contagious is the virus if there are no bumps on the body?  I would like to keep this under my hat so to speak.



It's been a day and I've found that my stomach is very itchy. And the bump by my pubic hair is sore. Is this normal?



Could the minor rash on my penis have been a result of the molluscum? I've read that there can be minor patches of dry skin close to the bump.



And one more thing, if my penis rubs against the bump on my pubic hair could that transmit it to my penis?



Any advice would be much appreciated. I would really like to know if I can go the rest of my life keeping this to myself.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

See several other posts and my replies over the past 2-3 weeks about molluscum contagiosum.  It seems to be the STD of the month, lots of recent questions.



Quickly:  Once cleared up, wait a month; if no new lesions appear, you probably can consider yourself cleared.  No need to inform future partners.



All treatments for MC, including freezing with liquid nitrogen, work by destroying the infected tissue.  Surrounding normal tissues typically are damaged in the process, which hurts.  In other words, soreness for a few days is normal; it may even blister and turn into a scab.  Just keep the area clean.



I doubt your penile rash was molluscum.  Local spread probably can occur, but requires more vigorous contact than just touching, such as scratching the lesions and surrounding areas.



Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Deedesign]

Hey, I also got it & had no idea where I go it from? My gf does not have it & I had a couple where you have them. I went to the Derm. & he froze them as well. You may need to go back a few times to rid them. They may pop up, a couple of more here & there. He also told me (the Derm. that its the most harmless STD, if it is one around) Mine also itch major after he applied the liquid as well. You described your identical to what I have. Since MS is not always transmitted by sexual contact, I do not think you need to tell anyone, its like telling them if you had a acne breakout or somehting trivial,  once gone keep that in the closet. The question is that if your penis does touch a pimple, you can get it there, I think I did but that one went away on its own. Good luck!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Deedesign's comment needs a brief response:  When MC occurs in adults in the pubic area, lower abdomen, thighs, etc, it is almost always sexually acquired; if exceptions occur, they are rare.  A partner who seems to be free of the disease still may be infected, such as a few small lesions or a "pimple" without a clue it was anything special.



People with MC should avoid sex for a month or so after lesions have cleared up and no new ones have appeared.  Before then, it would be a kindness to inform your partner.



Regards--  HHH, MD

[hallogen]

Thanks! That was very helpful.

[Deedesign]

Doc,



One quick question to your response, if you have them & cover up the area where the MS is, can you have sex with your partner , if all areas are covered then its ok? You think? What could be the worst if you have sex when having them?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

If you have a regular partner who was exposed before your MC was diagnosed, I wouldn't stop having sex at all; s/he already has been exposed, too late to do anything about it.  As implied in my original response, s/he may be immune anyway.



As to covering lesions, I suppose that might reduce the risk.  But how and with what?  I have difficulty envisioning rewarding sex with an article of clothing (or platic wrap?) laid over the pubic area--or keeping it in place while concentrating on the important stuff.  Maybe a more practical approach would be to consider alternative sexual positions.



HHH, MD

[Deedesign]

Thanks Doc. I appreciate the reply. So will my gf. Thanks again!

[hallogen]

anyone know how long it takes for these to go away? I've had them frozen once but they seem to be unchanged.  It's only been 2 days though.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

If properly frozen, they should start to dry up in the next day or two; it will take 10-12 days for them to be entirely gone.



HHH, MD

[boredcmd]

has anyone had experience with laser treatment and how were the outcomes? I was just zapped again today second treatment and after the initial treatment i developed more and some of the old lesions persisted. Do we know if this is an infection that will hinder us for life? Or will there eventually be a clearing of the virus?