Our Molluscum contagiosum Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Molluscum contagiosum
Definition of Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum: A contagious disease of the skin marked by the occurrence of rounded soft tumors of the skin caused by the growth of a virus (one that belongs to the virus family called the Poxviridae). The disease is characterized by the appearance of a few to numerous small, pearly, umbilicated downgrowths called molluscum bodies or condyloma subcutaneum. Molluscum contagiosum is mainly seen in children. In teenagers and adults it is often transmitted sexually and so may be considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is a benign disorder that usually clears up by itself. The Latin "molluscus" means soft. Last Editorial Review: 6/14/2012 Back to MedTerms online medical dictionary A-Z List 
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