Young People's Guide to
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
and AIDS/HIV Disease
- Index of images
- Complete list of STDs
- Short STD guide in various languages
- Reproductive anatomy Diagrams
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Message to parents
- Anatomy of the sex organs
- Physiology of the sex organs
- STDs
- How to check yourself for STDs
- AIDS
- How to prevent getting STDs and AIDS
- How to use a condom
MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM
Summary
- Uncommon disease that causes small, round, raised bumps in the genital area.
- Easily treated
- Few if any complications
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What is Molluscum?
Molluscum are named after mollusk shells because they are hard, small, flesh-colored round bumps that form in the genital region. The bumps may be from 1/16" to _" inches in diameter. There are usually a few to many of them present. They are small, dome-shaped, and they have a slight indentation in their center.
What causes Molluscum?
They are caused by a virus.
How serious of a disease are they?
They are more of a nuisance than anything and they rarely cause any complications. If they are scratched, they may be opened and become infected with other germs. Actually they may also occur non-sexually transmitted in children and in some adults such as wrestlers.
How soon after contact do they appear?
The time from contact to the appearance of the sores can be between one week to six months with the average being two to three months.
What is the treatment for Molluscum?
There is no medicine that a person can take for molluscum but they can be destroyed by physical means such a cutting them out with a small scalpel blade or putting an acid on them. If they are left untreated, they will go away by themselves within a year or two. We usually recommend treatment because they can be spread to others.