A common, usually mild skin disease caused by the virus Molluscum contagiosum and characterized by small white, pink, or flesh-colored bumps with a dimple in the center. Molluscum contagiosum is spread by touching the affected skin of an infected person or by touching a surface with the virus on it. The bumps can easily spread to other parts of the body if someone touches or scratches a bump and then touches another part of the body. Compared to people with healthy immune systems, people with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV, are at higher risk for molluscum contagiousum and are more likely to have bumps that are larger and more difficult to treat.