Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves, but can also involve the eyes, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and other tissues.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of leprosy can vary widely depending on the type and severity of the disease. They often manifest gradually over many years. Common symptoms include:
- Skin lesions: These can be hypopigmented (lighter than normal skin) or erythematous (reddened), with decreased sensation to touch, heat, or pain.
- Nerve damage: Loss of sensation, weakness, and muscle paralysis can occur due to nerve involvement.
- Thickened nerves: Particularly in advanced cases, nerves may become enlarged and tender.
- Eye problems: Leprosy can lead to blindness if left untreated due to damage to the cornea and other ocular structures.
Causes:
It is caused by infection with Mycobacterium leprae. The exact mechanism of transmission is not fully understood, but it’s thought to occur through prolonged close contact with an untreated individual who has the active form of the disease.
Treatment:
Leprosy is treatable with multidrug therapy (MDT), a combination of antibiotics that target the bacterium causing the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a combination of rifampicin, dapsone, and clofazimine for at least six months to two years, depending on the severity of the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible nerve damage and disability.
Prevention:
Preventive measures for leprosy focus on early diagnosis and treatment to interrupt transmission and prevent disability. Other preventive strategies include:
- Contact tracing and screening of close contacts of individuals diagnosed with leprosy.
- Health education to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of leprosy and promote early healthcare-seeking behavior.
- Continued research into vaccines for leprosy, though currently, there’s no widely available vaccine for prevention.
