You can get molluscum contagiosum through close contact with someone who is infected with it. Even though molluscum contagiosum is often transmitted sexually, you do not need to have sex in order to get it. But that is how most adults get infected.
Molluscum contagiosum is spread by
- vaginal and anal intercourse
- oral sex
- nonsexual, intimate contact
- sharing clothing or towels
Children may become infected through casual contact. In such cases, growths may appear on other parts of the body, especially the abdomen.
If you have molluscum contagiosum already, you can spread the growths by itching, scratching, or rubbing them.
