Facts About Leprosy We Should Be Aware Of
Leprosy, now known as Hansen's disease, is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind and unfortunately it still exists. We should "Act Now" to "End Leprosy".
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All of us have heard about leprosy, and usually associate it with a sickly and deformed person, shying away from the world at large. But there is more to the condition than just deformity. The stigma attached with the disease prevents the afflicted from being productive members of the society and pushes them into poverty.
Currently 1,34,752 new cases are detected in India in the first quarter of 2013. The number of women afflicted by the disease is a lot more than the number of men and over thirteen thousand children have been found to be afflicted with this disease. Read more about the number of leprosy cases in India.
Leprosy is one of the oldest and most stigmatised diseases the world over. It is also known as Hansen’s Disease named after the scientist who discovered it – Armauer Hansen. It is a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the nervous system and numbs the extremities in the exposed parts of the body like the hands, feet and face.
The disease is caused by a rod-shaped bacterium known as Mycobacterium leprae. The most common symptom is the occurrence of paled patches on skin without sensitivity.
In India, ninety to ninety five per cent people are naturally immune to the disease, hence leprosy is not highly infectious. According to WHO the condition is classified into to two –
Paucibacillary: Where no bacteria are detected in the skin lesions
Multibacillary: Where there are more than five lesions on the person’s body that are positive for the presence of bacteria.
The symptoms of the condition include – patches on the skin that are insensitive to touch or any sensation. The classic sign is that the patch will be devoid of hair or sweat and will not feel any heat, cold or pin pricks. These symptoms remain constant for the following types of the disease.
The diagnosis of leprosy is fairly simple. When a person visits his/her doctor a physical examination is usually more than enough to diagnose the person. According to the WHO, if a person visits a doctor in an endemic area with the classic symptoms of leprosy, he should be considered as suffering from the disease.
In case a doctor does want to confirm the diagnosis he/she may advice a skin smear to be done. This is a procedure where a sample is taken from the patient and tested for the presence of the bacterium. This is usually advised in rare cases.
Leprosy is curable through Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) and in India it is available free of cost at any government health centre. MDT is a combination of three drugs, i.e. clofazimine, rifampicin and dapsone which are taken over the course of 6-24 months.
Early diagnosis and treatment with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) prevents permanent disabilities by curing the disease before it causes deformities. It is also one of the best ways to eliminate it as a public threat.
Read about new vaccine offers protection against tuberculosis, leprosy.
If left untreated leprosy can cause the fingers and toes to deform and form a claw shape by curling inward. Leprosy also affects the eyes, making it difficult for the patient to blink, therefore causing blindness.
It can also cause permanent ulcers and infections in the hands and feet which often occur when cuts, bruises and burns are ignored because the person does not feel any pain.
Leprosy, now known as Hansen's disease, is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind and unfortunately it still exists. We should "Act Now" to "End Leprosy".
Leprosy, almost exclusively a disease of the developing world, is subject to many myths and stigma. But the situation in India is improving due to better awareness.
Advancement in the treatment of leprosy - One of the promising approaches being researched is cell-penetrating peptides. Read on to know more about it.
As we observe World Leprosy Day, it is necessary to highlight a few facts related to this much-misunderstood and maligned disease. Read on to know more.
On the occasion of World Leprosy Day, let us take a look at a few facts about this disease. Read on to know more.
Leprosy is an ancient disease than can be traumatic for patients. Read on to know about a few yoga asanas that can help you deal with this condition.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is an ancient disease that can be traced back to early human history. Let us look at its complications.
On the occasion of World Leprosy Day today, let us learn about how this health condition is diagnosed and treated.
On the occasion of World Leprosy Day on January 30, let us take a look at the subtle as well as the not-so-subtle signs and symptoms of this condition.
Leprosy is a misunderstood disease and it has myths and misconceptions attached to it. On World Leprosy Day, we debunk these myths.
World Leprosy Day is on January 30. Leprosy is a contagious progressive disease that damages the skin and nervous system. Read on to know all about it.
Leprosy is caused by a rod-shaped bacterium known as Mycobacterium leprae. The most common symptom is the occurrence of paled patches on skin without sensitivity.
Mahatma Gandhi played a significant role in destigmatising leprosy in India. On the birthday of this visionary leader, let's stand up for a cause that he used to feel so deeply about.
Delayed diagnosis of this condition can put you at the risk of health issues like kidney failure, disfigurement and many more ailments. Visit a physician the moment you see symptoms like painless ulcers, skin nodules, etc.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud asked the Centre, states to eradicate leprosy, remove discriminatory laws
Gupte and Shah were awarded for their work towards care and eliminiation of leprosy which the Vice-President said was a blot on humanity.
Fear of discrimination is one reason why people may hesitate to seek treatment, which means they may be transmitting the disease to others.
95 percent of human beings can fend off the bacteria that causes leprosy.
Leprosy, almost exclusively a disease of the developing world, is subject to many myths and stigma. But the situation in India is improving due to better awareness.
Advancement in the treatment of leprosy - One of the promising approaches being researched is cell-penetrating peptides. Read on to know more about it.
As we observe World Leprosy Day, it is necessary to highlight a few facts related to this much-misunderstood and maligned disease. Read on to know more.
On the occasion of World Leprosy Day, let us take a look at a few facts about this disease. Read on to know more.
Leprosy is an ancient disease than can be traumatic for patients. Read on to know about a few yoga asanas that can help you deal with this condition.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is an ancient disease that can be traced back to early human history. Let us look at its complications.
On the occasion of World Leprosy Day today, let us learn about how this health condition is diagnosed and treated.
On the occasion of World Leprosy Day on January 30, let us take a look at the subtle as well as the not-so-subtle signs and symptoms of this condition.
Leprosy is a misunderstood disease and it has myths and misconceptions attached to it. On World Leprosy Day, we debunk these myths.
World Leprosy Day is on January 30. Leprosy is a contagious progressive disease that damages the skin and nervous system. Read on to know all about it.
Leprosy is caused by a rod-shaped bacterium known as Mycobacterium leprae. The most common symptom is the occurrence of paled patches on skin without sensitivity.
Mahatma Gandhi played a significant role in destigmatising leprosy in India. On the birthday of this visionary leader, let's stand up for a cause that he used to feel so deeply about.
Delayed diagnosis of this condition can put you at the risk of health issues like kidney failure, disfigurement and many more ailments. Visit a physician the moment you see symptoms like painless ulcers, skin nodules, etc.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud asked the Centre, states to eradicate leprosy, remove discriminatory laws
Gupte and Shah were awarded for their work towards care and eliminiation of leprosy which the Vice-President said was a blot on humanity.
Fear of discrimination is one reason why people may hesitate to seek treatment, which means they may be transmitting the disease to others.
95 percent of human beings can fend off the bacteria that causes leprosy.
Early diagnosis is the key to treat leprosy and prevent complications, says expert.
You can find out whether you have leprosy or not with a physical examination of your eyebrow or your skin, says Dr Kirshnakant Debri.
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