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Molusco contagioso - Overview

Definición:

Es una infección viral cutánea que causa pápulas o nódulos elevados con apariencia de perla en la piel.

Causas:

El molusco contagioso es causado por un virus miembro de la familia de los Poxvirus y la infección se puede adquirir de muchas maneras diferentes.

Se trata de una infección común en niños y ocurre cuando un niño entra en contacto directo con una lesión. Se observa con frecuencia en la cara, el cuello, las axilas, los brazos y las manos, aunque se puede presentar en cualquier parte del cuerpo, con excepción de las palmas de las manos y las plantas de los pies.

El virus se puede diseminar a través del contacto con objetos contaminados, tales como toallas, ropas o juguetes.

El virus también se propaga por contacto sexual. Las primeras lesiones en los genitales se pueden tomar erróneamente como herpes o verrugas pero, a diferencia del herpes, dichas lesiones son indoloras.

Las personas inmunodeficientes, debido a enfermedades como el SIDA, pueden presentar un caso de molusco contagioso que empeora rápidamente.

  • Reviewed last on: 5/13/2011
  • Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Cohen J, Powderly WG. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier; 2004:2053-2056.

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