About health problems caused by cutaneous infection with Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin that is characterized by the appearance on the skin prominent reddish pearls. Protuberances are clear and their center is often (navel). The virus is easily spread (contagious) but it is not harmful. However, the immunosuppressed, such as those infected with HIV can be extended protrusions and disfiguring and can be considered as signs of end-stage disease

Symptoms
These small protruding round, indented, they are usually between 3 mm and 5 mm (ie slightly smaller than a pencil eraser). They can be single or grouped. They usually occur on the trunk, face, eyelids or genitals. In children, bumps usually appear on the trunk, face and arms. In sexually active adolescents and young adults, bumps are usually located in the genital area. Protrusions can become inflamed and turn red as a natural response of the immune system against the virus. Around prominences usually develop eczema.
The incubation period – the time from the moment of exposure to appearance prominences – is usually 2 to 7 weeks but can take 6 months.
In immunocompromised individuals such as those infected with HIV, symptoms are more severe molluscum contagiosum.

Methods of transmission
The virus is usually spread by direct skin to skin contact. By this means sexual intercourse or touching and scratching the tabs and then touching skin. Handling objects contaminated with the virus, such as a towel, can also lead to infection.
The virus can spread from one part to another body or to other people. Molluscum contagiosum is contagious until the bumps disappear – period, if the disease is not treated, it can take up to 6 months or even longer.
Molluscum contagiosum is found in the genital area frequently in children, especially because they become infected by scratching. However, if other factors are present, can be taken into account sexual abuse.

Diagnosis
Molluscum contagiosum is usually diagnosed during physical examination. If the diagnosis is unclear and other diseases are suspected, your doctor may take a sample from a prominent level in order to examine (biopsy).
If an adult shows his genitals prominent in the area, the doctor may do tests, to detect the possible existence of sexually transmitted diseases such as genital herpes.

Treatment
In healthy people, the establishment of treatment is not necessary, as individual bumps usually disappear spontaneously within 2 to 4 months, although it may take longer. Some people choose to remove protrusions because they embarrassed or in order to prevent their spread to other people. Doctors usually recommend treatment prominences located in the genital area to prevent their spread. Protrusions will disappear spontaneously within a few weeks. However, they are often treated to prevent spread of the virus and infecting other people. Another reason is that they are treated to prevent their spread to other areas of the body.
Protrusions can be removed by laser, by freezing or by scraping. Sometimes these treatments leave scars. Special ointments containing drugs may also contribute to the disappearance of prominences. If the bumps reappear, repeat treatment may be necessary. If protrusions worsen, consult a doctor.
If necessary, one can try the following methods of treatment:

• Removal of viral material in the center, the center quickly scraping with a curette prominence
• Freezing therapy (cryotherapy)
• Application of drugs to the skin (topical medication)
• The use of oral medication (oral medication).

Until such prominences are not recommended:

• Sharing of towels with others
• Performing activities that require close contact with other people
• Sports that involve contact between players
• Itchy skin
• Attendance at public swimming pools, public showers and saunas
• The use of skin ointments based on corticosteroids.

Molluscum contagiosum is usually diagnosed during physical examination. If the diagnosis is unclear and other diseases are suspected, your doctor may take a sample from a prominent level in order to examine (biopsy).
If an adult shows his genitals prominent in the area, the doctor may do tests, to detect the possible existence of sexually transmitted diseases such as genital herpes.