Molluscom Contagiosum

[dimeadozen]

For about 2 month now I have had Molluscom Contagiosum. I have begun to break out all over my gential area. My questions are in regards to what action I can take to speed up the process.



Firstly, I'm a college student, I drink about once or twice a week and work out strictly. I've been informed that doing both can have a negative effect on the strenght of my immune system. Will quiting drinking and slowing down my training aid in the fighting of the virus?



Secondly, I have not got my bumps removed yet. Will having sex or masturbation make me break out more? Also since my girlfriend (who gave me molluscom) has cleared up, is it alright to continue to have sex with her?



And finally in regards to the removal of the bumbs. Can my family doctor or a clinic remove them or do I have to goto a specialist. Also which method is best for removal, keep in mind some of the outbreaks are very small and on the shaft of my penis.



Cheers,

Matt

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Presumably you have seen a health care provider--i.e., you're not basing molluscum on self-diagnosis.  I'm surprised the provider didn't treat them or tell you how to do it.  Molluscum lesions can be frozen; or scraped off (not as painful as it sounds).  Most general physicians can handle this, but to be certain you're seeing a knowledgeable provider, go to your local health department STD clinic or to a dermatologist.



Once most of the lesions have been treated, you can self-treat additional ones as they arise:  using a sterilized needle (heat or alcohol), open the top of the lesion then press out the hard, white core--sort of like popping a pimple.  Once the core is gone, the lesion will bleed briskly for a few minutes, then will heal over the next 1-2 weeks.  But don't do this until/unless the diagnosis is confirmed and the bulk of the lesions have been treated professionally.



Staying in good physicial condiditon and generally healthy certainly won't hurt your immune system, but it also won't have any effect on how fast your molluscum clears up on its own.



It isn't known whether your partner is now resistant to re-acquiring molluscum once her lesions have resolved.  It's probably best to avoid sex until yours are gone--but molluscum is an inconvenience, not a serious health threat, so it should be up to her.



Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Matt1964]

I have Molluscum Contaiosum as well, I have been treated by the doctor at the local clinic, with liquid nitrogen, you should cut out the alcohol, and take a multivitamin,  Molluscum is a virus that your immune system should eventually control, thing is you need to treat them to help them go away faster.  Your body doesnt know they dont belong, so it wont fight them, when there treated the immune system realizes theres a problem and starts to fight them off.  I had mine treated and they are all almost gone, they were all over my genitals.



You could reinfect your girlfriend or your self, but you already have the risk there... wear protection to limit yourself. you can spread them around onto other parts of your body... try not to break them open, if you do, get the center out. thats the contagious part, wash your hands well, use a specific towel for that area, wash all you underware in Hot Water.  molluscum lives on surfaces....so all you can do is try to limit it.



Hope I helped.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I forgot to say it is extremely important that you wash your hands with soap and water after you self-treat any molluscum lesions, lest you transmit the infection to other parts of your body.  Even better, wear latex gloves and discard them afterward--then wash.



In contrast to matt1964's advice, the amount of alcohol you are drinking won't make any difference.  And I don't believe it is true that your body doesn't recognize MCV or molluscum lesions as foreign; left alone, the immune system eventually recognizes and eradicates the infection, even without treatment.  It just take a while, perhaps several months.



But matt is right about self-inoculation, which is why early treatment is advisable.  You probably have more extensive lesions than you would have had if the initial ones had been treated promptly and properly.



HHH, MD

[steve123]

I think I read somewhere about patients with AIDS and Molluscum and taking some medication to boost C4 count,   would this work on use with normal immune systems?

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