HERPES

Can it be Herpes or Warts?

Dear Dr. Tom:

About four years ago, I noticed these brown bumps on my husband?s lower abdomen. I was very concerned and asked him how he got them. He stated they appeared after taking a shower at his father’s house, after the use of one of his washcloths. I was suspicious so I took my husband to a doctor’s office. My husband claims the doctor told him they are warts. I personally have had no symptoms or breakouts of herpes. It is possible for him to have herpes these last four years and never pass it on to me?
Confused, Ami

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Dr. Tom’s Response:

Dear Confused:

Warts are caused by viruses within a group known as papilloma viruses. The fact that your husband has/had abdominal warts does not imply that these lesions are related to a herpes infection that could be transmissible to you. Molluscum contagiosum is a member of the pox virus group, and its lesions can appear on the abdomen and may sometimes be wrongly diagnosed as warts. Human papilloma viruses and molluscum contagiosum are sexually transmissible. If the warts or lesions persist, a dermatology specialist should be consulted, who would very likely remove some of the material for laboratory identification.

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