my 4yr old has a secondary infection from molluscum contagiosum what does this mean?

Answer 1

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection,a type of wart, of the skin. It is evidenced by small bumps on the skin which may be pearly or flesh colored and the center is often indented. It is easily spread and spreads even more on the body if scratched, but not harmful but can take 2 to 9 months to heal on their own.

Sometimes treated over the counter with salicylic acid or tape therapy (apply silk-backed hypoallergenic surgical tape to the warts - takes 8-16 weeks and need to reapply after each bath/shower) or sometimes the Dr. will remove them, depending upon where they are located and the age/disposition of the person.

Answer 2

Molluscum contagiosum


Reviewed by Professor James Ferguson, consultant dermatologist


What is molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin. It appears as small, pearl-shaped spots which are pink in colour. It may occur at any age but is typically found in children.

It is not a serious disease and usually clears up within a few months. It can, however, last for up to two years.

How do you contract molluscum contagiosum?

It is an infection caused by a virus called poxvirus. The infection can result from direct contact, including sexual contact, or by indirect contact, such as sharing towels, or from swimming pools.

The incubation period from the time of initial contact until the molluscum or spots appear is anything from two to eight weeks.

The symptoms of molluscum contagiosum


Pink, pearl-like spots on the face, arms and legs, which can be 1 to 5mm in diameter.


If the infection is sexually transmitted, the molluscum can be seen on the genitals, thighs and the lower part of the stomach.


Good advice


Be patient - the condition will pass.


Wash your hands after touching the molluscum.


Do not share towels used on the infected area with other people.


Avoid scratching the molluscum as this may cause further infection.


How does the doctor make the diagnosis?

The diagnosis is made by examining the patient's skin.

Outlook

This is a benign disease that spontaneously improves after a couple of months. In patients with AIDS, it may develop as a general or pervasive (gradually spreading) skin infection.

How is molluscum contagiosum treated?


Usually no treatment is given since the disease disappears by itself.


Larger and troublesome molluscum can be frozen or scraped away under local anaesthesia.


Antiseptic applied to the affected areas is helpful only if local infection occurs - which shows as painful red areas around the molluscum spots.



Based on a text by Dr Hanne Korsholm


Last updated 02.06.2005

Answer 3

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

Molluscum contagiosum is a disease caused by a poxvirus of the Molluscipox virus genus that produces a benign self-limited papular eruption of multiple umbilicated cutaneous tumors. This common viral disease is confined to the skin and mucous membranes. Transmission requires direct contact with infected hosts or contaminated fomites. It is generally thought to infect humans exclusively, but there are a few isolated reports of Molluscum contagiosum occurring in chickens, sparrows, pigeons, chimpanzees, kangaroos, a dog, and a horse. The infection is found worldwide and has a higher incidence in children, sexually active adults, and those who are immunodeficent.

Answer 6

"Molluscum contagiosum" is caused by a "poxvirus" called the "molluscum contagiosum virus", or "MCV" for short.

The thing about it being a "secondary infection" means that your 4 year old had probably had it before, but it came back again because his immune system was weakened. This is possible because some viruses like the chicken pox virus stay in your body all your life just waiting to pop up again when your immune system is weak.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

It probably means that your child has contracted the molluscum pox virus. If that's the case, I highly recommend using the Dr Wheatgrass Recovery Cream or Spray. It's cream/spray derived from organically grown wheatgrass. Dr. Reynolds invented the product and has been successfully treating this patients since 1995 with these products. As far as allergic reactions go, this product is made from wheatgrass, the same thing that bread is made of. It's also gluten free. I believe it's approved for people of all ages (from infants to adults) because it's a natural product. You can check out his website for more information and testimonials. You can also ask Dr. Reynold specific questions to your child. He's been a tremendous help to me. I hope this helps you in making an informed decision.

Answer 9

Well a secondary infection means that he/she was sick before and he contracted it because perhaps they had a lowered immune response due to the primary infection.

molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin, and from what i can tell from wikipedia, not so bad. It should clear up of its own accord.

It gives the suferrer non-painful small lesions that may be itchy, so try not to let them scratch it.

Answer 10

this means some bacteria has lead to infection on top of the molluscum most likely due to your son scratching the spots.M.contagiosum in it self is a harmless infection but annoying to sight