How do people become infected with the molluscum virus?
The virus that causes molluscum is spread from person to person by touching the affected skin. The virus may also be spread by touching a surface with the virus on it, such as a towel, clothing, or toys. Once someone has the virus, the bumps can spread to other parts of their body by touching or scratching a bump and then touching another part of the body. Molluscum can be spread from one person to another by sexual contact. Although the virus might be spread by sharing swimming pools, baths, saunas, or other wet and warm environments, this has not been proven. Researchers who have investigated this idea think it is more likely the virus is spread by sharing towels and other items around a pool or sauna than through water.
Touching affected skin of another person is how the virus that causes molluscum is spread from person to person. Touching towels, clothing, toys, kick boards, swim floats with the virus on the surface may spread the virus. Once someone has the virus, the bumps can spread to other parts of their body through touching or scratching a bump and then touching another part of the body. Molluscum can be spread by sexual contact from one person to another. Although the virus might be spread by sharing swimming pools, baths, saunas, or other wet and warm environments, this has not been proven. Researchers who have investigated this idea think it is more likely the virus is spread by sharing towels and other items around a pool or sauna than through water.
