Is molluscum contagiosum a sexually-transmitted disease?
No, but it can get transmitted during sexual intercourse due to physical contact. This is especially true for molluscum in the genital and pubic areas because of extended skin contact and rubbing in those regions during sex. • What are the symptoms of molluscum contagiosum? The virus does not have any known adverse symptoms or effects other than the ugly bumps and some occasional itching. • If it itches, can I scratch? NO! Sometimes the bumps will itch a bit, but it is important NOT TO SCRATCH. Scratching the bumps will spread the virus even more to surrounding skin. Plus, you now have the virus on your finger which can get infected, as well as infecting other parts of your body that your fingers touch. In addition, scratching can break the skin and cause a sore which can get infected with something else. So do no scratch. Do not even rub! • Will the bumps last forever? For most healthy people, the body’s immune system will manage to eventually kill the virus. Without proper treatment,
