For a 4-year-old boy with molluscum contagiosum, which recommendation should be provided to prevent the spread of the condition?

The recommendation to avoid sharing towels or washcloths with others is particularly important in preventing the spread of molluscum contagiosum. This virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact or indirectly through contaminated objects, such as towels, clothing, or washcloths. When an infected individual uses a towel or washcloth, the virus can easily be transferred to another person if they use the same item without properly cleaning it first.

This approach of avoiding shared personal items also emphasizes the importance of personal hygiene and can significantly reduce the risk of outbreaks among family members or peers. While the other options may also contribute to minimizing risk in certain contexts, specifically avoiding the sharing of towels and personal hygiene items directly addresses the mode of transmission for this particular infection.