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molluscum concern
Hi Doctor,
Within the past month or so, a tiny bump has formed on the upper part of my cheek. It is small, hard, and flesh colored but with slightly waxy appearance. At first I thought it was a pimple but it does not come to a head and has not gone away on its own like most of my break outs do. I popped it and a little bit of white stuff came out and a tiny speck of blood, but the bump remains.
I started googling symptoms and molluscum contagiusum came up. Now I'm terrified that this points to HIV. My risk is that around 2 years ago I had an unprotected one night stand. It was brief, with no ejaculation inside me, but it was with a stranger nonetheless. I've realized that I've taken all STD tests for that event, except for HIV. Nothing out of the ordinary to note about that person, but I'm worried he infected me since I have not had any type of unprotected exposure since then.
I'm worried that this signifies late stage HIV, and I'm also concerned that the molluscum will spread rapidly now that I've popped it. Aside from that small bump on my face, I feel fine.
Hope you can give me some of your experience on this. I'd really appreciate your perspective.
Within the past month or so, a tiny bump has formed on the upper part of my cheek. It is small, hard, and flesh colored but with slightly waxy appearance. At first I thought it was a pimple but it does not come to a head and has not gone away on its own like most of my break outs do. I popped it and a little bit of white stuff came out and a tiny speck of blood, but the bump remains.
I started googling symptoms and molluscum contagiusum came up. Now I'm terrified that this points to HIV. My risk is that around 2 years ago I had an unprotected one night stand. It was brief, with no ejaculation inside me, but it was with a stranger nonetheless. I've realized that I've taken all STD tests for that event, except for HIV. Nothing out of the ordinary to note about that person, but I'm worried he infected me since I have not had any type of unprotected exposure since then.
I'm worried that this signifies late stage HIV, and I'm also concerned that the molluscum will spread rapidly now that I've popped it. Aside from that small bump on my face, I feel fine.
Hope you can give me some of your experience on this. I'd really appreciate your perspective.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the follow-up comment. I'm not surprised at the diagnosis.
Your other issue is a new problem; for a full reply, you would need to start a new thread on the HIV Prevention forum. The quick response is that most coated tongues are not thrush, and most people with problems like yours don't have HIV, just a minor garden variety respiratory virus. And it doesn't sound like you've been at risk for HIV anyway.
Your other issue is a new problem; for a full reply, you would need to start a new thread on the HIV Prevention forum. The quick response is that most coated tongues are not thrush, and most people with problems like yours don't have HIV, just a minor garden variety respiratory virus. And it doesn't sound like you've been at risk for HIV anyway.
Hi Doctor,
Just wanted to report back that the spot was not molluscum, but a pretty deep clogged oil gland.
This week something else is concerning me....about two days ago I came down with a really sudden, severe red sore throat. I suspect this is strep or tonsillitis, but I have not gone to see the doctor yet.
Today my tongue feels numb and I have little sensation of taste--I look in the mirror and my tongue is coated with thick white patches; however, my throat has become less painful. Does this sound like oral thrush?
I have an appointment with a doctor but I am very concerned. My tongue has never looked like this and it matches up to some of the pictures of oral thrush on the Internet. Isn't oral thrush a strong sign pointing to HIV infection? Would it be occurring 2 years after a possible infection? Or, is it more likely related to my recent throat illness?
Any input would be much appreciated, since I feel very nervous and overwhelmed now.
Just wanted to report back that the spot was not molluscum, but a pretty deep clogged oil gland.
This week something else is concerning me....about two days ago I came down with a really sudden, severe red sore throat. I suspect this is strep or tonsillitis, but I have not gone to see the doctor yet.
Today my tongue feels numb and I have little sensation of taste--I look in the mirror and my tongue is coated with thick white patches; however, my throat has become less painful. Does this sound like oral thrush?
I have an appointment with a doctor but I am very concerned. My tongue has never looked like this and it matches up to some of the pictures of oral thrush on the Internet. Isn't oral thrush a strong sign pointing to HIV infection? Would it be occurring 2 years after a possible infection? Or, is it more likely related to my recent throat illness?
Any input would be much appreciated, since I feel very nervous and overwhelmed now.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As I said to start, it probably will turn out this isn't molluscum at all. I recommend you not speculate on when and how that could happen until you have been professionally evaluated.
If it is MC, it has nothing to do with your past HPV diagnosis. And yes, single MC lesions are less common than multiple, and 2 years is early for overt AIDS. So is feeling fine.
If you want to report the result after you have seen a doctor or clinic, I'll be happy to comment further, but specuation won't help and so won't have any further comments until then.
If it is MC, it has nothing to do with your past HPV diagnosis. And yes, single MC lesions are less common than multiple, and 2 years is early for overt AIDS. So is feeling fine.
If you want to report the result after you have seen a doctor or clinic, I'll be happy to comment further, but specuation won't help and so won't have any further comments until then.
Hi Doctor,
Thank you for the swift response.
No, I am not in contact with any young children on a daily basis. I really am quite clueless as to where it could have come from, if it is indeed MC. I was diagnosed with HPV a few years ago by the gyno--is there any possible connection there?
Is it also true that MC would tend to occur in clusters, rather than a single bump? Also, can I assume that in general advanced AIDS occurs more than two years after an infection?
Thank you for the swift response.
No, I am not in contact with any young children on a daily basis. I really am quite clueless as to where it could have come from, if it is indeed MC. I was diagnosed with HPV a few years ago by the gyno--is there any possible connection there?
Is it also true that MC would tend to occur in clusters, rather than a single bump? Also, can I assume that in general advanced AIDS occurs more than two years after an infection?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
First, I'm inclined to doubt you have molluscum contagiosum. Your description is pretty good for it, but facial MC is uncommon in healthy people. But even if you have MC, it isn't necessarily a sign of HIV. Do you have young children (age 1-5) in the home, or contact with young kids in the past 2-3 months? If you escaped MC in your childhood, you could be infected by close contact with a child who has it.
And although facial molluscum can occur in people with AIDS or other serious immune deficiencies, it is never the only symptom; it happens only in people with advanced AIDS who are profoundly ill in obvious ways. That you otherwise feel fine means you needn't worry about it. Also, I would point out that almost nobody with a sexual history like yours has HIV.
I suggest you see a doctor about the skin lesion -- perhaps a dermatologist, if you're not sure your personal physicians is familiar with MC or other skin conditions. Keep your hands off it until you are examined -- no more squeezing etc.
I hope this has been helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
First, I'm inclined to doubt you have molluscum contagiosum. Your description is pretty good for it, but facial MC is uncommon in healthy people. But even if you have MC, it isn't necessarily a sign of HIV. Do you have young children (age 1-5) in the home, or contact with young kids in the past 2-3 months? If you escaped MC in your childhood, you could be infected by close contact with a child who has it.
And although facial molluscum can occur in people with AIDS or other serious immune deficiencies, it is never the only symptom; it happens only in people with advanced AIDS who are profoundly ill in obvious ways. That you otherwise feel fine means you needn't worry about it. Also, I would point out that almost nobody with a sexual history like yours has HIV.
I suggest you see a doctor about the skin lesion -- perhaps a dermatologist, if you're not sure your personal physicians is familiar with MC or other skin conditions. Keep your hands off it until you are examined -- no more squeezing etc.
I hope this has been helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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