Leprosy

Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) is a very severe condition that can lead to serious complications, but it can be treated.

Leprosy

Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) is a bacterial infection that causes damage in different parts of the body and can lead to serious permanent complications.

Causes of leprosy

• Leprosy occurs due to a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. It’s thought that the bacteria transfer between people through the airborne droplets that come out when coughing or sneezing.
• Leprosy isn’t highly contagious because a person must be in close contact with a patient for a long time, like several months, to get it. Moreover, the immune system in most of the people can fight leprosy.

Symptoms of leprosy

Leprosy can take years to develop symptoms, which include:

• Enlarged nerves.
• Weakness.
• Paralysis.
• Patches of skin that aren’t typically the same as the areas around them, and they can be discolored, swollen, numb, stiff, or thick.
• Ulcers or sores that don’t cause pain on the soles of the feet.
• Purple or red lumps or nodules.
• Loss of eyelashes or eyebrows.
• Eye problems or blindness.
• Leprosy can lead to unhealed ulcers, chronic pain, vision loss, shortening of the fingers and toes, permanent appearance changes, paralysis, and damage in the hands and feet that makes them hard to use.

Diagnosis of leprosy

• Physical exam.
• Skin biopsy.
• Blood tests.

Treatment of leprosy

• Antibiotics.