World Leprosy Day is observed on January 30 every year to make people aware of leprosy and remove the misconceptions spread in society.
About Leprosy:
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae.
The disease predominantly affects the skin and peripheral nerves.
Left untreated, the disease may cause progressive and permanent disabilities.
Apart from the physical deformity, persons affected by leprosy also face stigmatization and discrimination.
It is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that still occurs in more than 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases reported each year.
It is known to occur at all ages, ranging from early childhood to old age.
Transmission:
The disease is transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth of an untreated case of leprosy, containing the causative agent, following prolonged, close contact.
The disease does not spread through casual contact (like shaking hands or hugging, sharing meals or sitting next to each other).
The patient stops transmitting the disease upon initiation of treatment.
Symptoms:
It usually takes about 3 to 5 years for symptoms to appear after you come into contact with the bacteria that cause leprosy.
The main symptom of leprosy is disfiguring skin sores, lumps, or bumps that don’t go away after several weeks or months.
In some cases, body parts may lose their sense of touch and pain, increasing the likelihood of injuries such as cuts and burns.
Treatment:
Leprosy is a curable disease.
The currently recommended treatment regimen consists of three medicines (dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine) and is referred to as multi-drug therapy (MDT).
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