• Raised, painless pink or red spots which may be itchy are the only symptom of the virus.
• The spots might have a small white or yellow head and look pearly. They tend to be 5mm wide.
• Never squeeze the spots. The substance inside them is very contagious, so squeezing them could spread the infection to other parts of your body.
• If you have caught molluscum sexually, you are likely to have spots around your groin, genital area, lower abdomen, buttocks and upper thighs.
• The spots will usually clear up in around 6 to 18 months.

Molluscum is spread through close physical contact or by sharing something like a towel that is contaminated.

It’s particularly common in people who have a weakened immune system, including people living with HIV who have a very low CD4 count.

Molluscum can spread through sexual contact – this means any type of sexual activity including sexual intercourse.

Using a condom while having sex will reduce the risk of passing it on, but it’s still possible because molluscum can be transferred by close skin contact.

If you have molluscum you’re considered to be contagious until the last spot has completely healed.

A nurse or doctor can diagnose molluscum by looking at the spots. If they are uncertain of the diagnosis, they can take a skin sample (biopsy) and test it for the virus.

The infection usually clears up without treatment in six to 18 months. However, if you have HIV with a very low CD4 count, it may take longer to clear up.

In some cases a doctor or nurse may prescribe treatment to try to clear up molluscum faster, especially if the spots are affecting your quality of life or if you have HIV. However, some treatments can have side effects.

If you live with HIV

 MC, although it is not curable, can be easily treated. HIV infection doesn’t affect the treatment regimen.

When you have MC, it may put your HIV-negative partners at a higher probability of getting HIV from you. This is because STIs often manifest with ulcers, sores, inflammation or broken skin, and they may allow HIV to leave your body and expose your partner more easily. Additionally, people living with HIV having an STI have more HIV in their semen (cum), causing HIV transmission more likely.

If your viral load stays undetectable and CD4 count remains average, you don’t have to worry – there is no risk of sexually transmitting HIV to HIV-negative partners, even if you have STI.

If you don’t live with HIV

If you have MC, you are more likely to get HIV than someone STI-free. This is because the same types of behaviour and conditions that may put you at risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection STI increase the risk of getting HIV. The presence of STI manifestations such as ulcers, sores, inflammation or broken skin caused by STI may allow HIV to enter your body more easily.