Introduction
We all must’ve heard about Leprosy at least once in our lifetime.It is one of the oldest diseases especially in countries like China, India, etc. In this article, we will discuss what Leprosy is, its most common symptoms, and the treatment options available to cure it.
What is Leprosy?
Leprosy meaning– a chronic infectious human disease caused by Mycobacterium Leprae (acid-fast bacillus). Leprosy mainly affects the skin, nerves, eyes, etc. which spreads through contact with the mucosal secretions of a person with the infection. This usually occurs when a person with leprosy sneezes or coughs. However, it doesn't spread easily or is mildly contagious.
Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy disease, is named after G. A Hansen, a scientist who discovered the disease and Mycobacterium leprae in 1873. Leprosy meaning in simpler words is a chronic granulomatous disease affecting only humans, causing deformities, ulcers (non-healing), and affects the thickness of nerves (nerve damage that can result in paralysis, and blindness). An individual may get the disease if only he/she comes in repeated contact with the droplets from an infected person who has not yet been treated.
Even though Leprosy doesn't spread or is mildly contagious, it can cause long term complications. Although earlier, due to almost no cure and negative stigmas about the complications of the disease such as nerve damage, paralysis, blindness, etc. many have suffered disfigurement and became social outcasts.
Symptoms of Leprosy
Leprosy affects multiple systems such as skin, nervous system, mucous membranes, eyes, and causes disabilities. Leprosy symptoms are mainly categorized by their signs and the number of lesions present on the body.
The incubation period of Leprosy on an average is 5 years. However, Leprosy causes symptoms in an individual within that particular year or can even take more (> 20 years and above)
Some common signs of Leprosy are mentioned below.
- Leprosy causes skin symptoms such as skin lesions that can be single or multiple (flat, raised), hypopigmented, erythematous (red), and sometimes even lumps or nodes. The lesions may not be sensitive to pain, touch, and temperature. The common signs of Leprosy are the non-healing ulcers on feet too. Leprosy symptoms can cause severe deformities, such as Claw hands claw hand.
- Leprosy patients show symptoms of nerve damage such as the nerves of the upper limb get damaged. Leprosy causes involvement of the ulnar, median, etc. Leprosy symptoms include associations of peripheral nerves (the sensation is lost) but spare the brain and spinal cord leading to muscular weakness, thickening of nerves, and paralysis.
- Leprosy causes mucus membrane damage such as lesions or nodules in the uvula, palate, nose, and even tonsils. Leprosy's common signs after it affects mucous membranes are pain, difficulty in swallowing, superficial ulcers, etc. The nasal mucosa may get disrupted, leading to the collapse of the nasal bone or recurrent Epistaxis epistaxis.
Also Read – Skin Diseases: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
Causes of Leprosy
- Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium Lepromatosis(slowly-growing bacteria). Leprosy causes include multiple exposures of an individual with an infected person.
- Leprosy causes include many socioeconomic and health factors such as living under the poverty line, unhygienic surroundings etc.
- Leprosy caused by Mycobacterium Leprae is found to be most active in tropical and subtropical areas.
- Although the exact cause of transmission is not known, it is believed that Leprosy caused by M. Leprae can transmit through water droplets while coughing or sneezing from affected people in the form of saliva or mucus.
- Leprosy causes can also show more severe presentations in children than in adults.
Treatment of Leprosy
Leprosy disease can be cured entirely with almost full chances of recovery. It can be diagnosed when your doctor performs a biopsy of the lesion.
To simplify the disease and prevent drug resistance, the WHO categorized the disease into simpler forms, which are paucibacillary (5 or < 5 lesions) and multibacillary (>5 Leprosy). WHO also released a drug regimen worldwide called MDT ( Multi-Drug Therapy). The therapy consists of drugs Dapsone, Rifampicin, and Clofazimine, which are given for at least 6-12 months' duration along with Antibiotics, steroids (prednisolone), Thalidomide (contraindicated in pregnancy), etc.
Please refer to your doctor immediately for any signs or symptoms and follow their instructions.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
