Summary about Disease
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract, eyes, and testes. It is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT). Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing disability.
Symptoms
Leprosy symptoms develop slowly, often over months or years. They include:
Skin lesions: Discolored patches of skin, usually flat, that may be numb and look faded (lighter than the skin around).
Numbness: Loss of feeling in the affected skin areas.
Nerve damage: Weakness or paralysis of muscles, especially in the hands and feet. Enlarged nerves, especially around the elbow and knee.
Eye problems: May lead to blindness.
Nasal congestion: Stuffiness.
Ulcers: Painless sores on the soles of feet or the palms of hands.
Causes
Leprosy is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It is thought to spread via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases. It is NOT highly contagious.
Medicine Used
Multidrug therapy (MDT) is the standard treatment for leprosy. The combination of drugs used depends on the type of leprosy. Typical regimens include:
Paucibacillary (PB) leprosy: Rifampicin and dapsone for 6 months.
Multibacillary (MB) leprosy: Rifampicin, dapsone, and clofazimine for 12 months.
Is Communicable
Leprosy is communicable, but it is not highly contagious. Prolonged, close contact with an untreated individual is generally required for transmission. The majority of people who are exposed to *M. leprae* do not develop leprosy.
Precautions
Early Diagnosis and Treatment: This is the most important precaution. Identify and treat individuals with leprosy to prevent further transmission.
Contact Tracing: Identify and examine contacts of leprosy patients.
BCG Vaccination: While not a primary preventative, BCG vaccination may offer some protection.
Hygiene: Good hygiene practices can help reduce the spread of many infectious diseases, including leprosy.
How long does an outbreak last?
Leprosy is not typically considered an "outbreak" disease in the way that influenza or measles is. Because of the long incubation period and slow progression, it is more accurate to speak of endemic areas or a prevalence rate. With effective MDT programs, the prevalence in an area can be significantly reduced over a period of years. It is rare to have it disappear totally.
How is it diagnosed?
Leprosy is diagnosed through:
Clinical examination: Looking for characteristic skin lesions and nerve involvement.
Skin smear: Microscopic examination of skin scrapings for M. leprae bacteria.
Skin biopsy: A tissue sample is examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of the bacteria and characteristic changes in the tissue.
Nerve function tests: Assessing nerve damage.
Timeline of Symptoms
The incubation period of leprosy is very long, ranging from months to years (typically 2-10 years or even longer). Therefore, a precise timeline is difficult.
Initial Stage: Mild skin discoloration, often painless. May be accompanied by numbness.
Progression (if untreated): Skin lesions become more prominent and widespread. Nerve damage progresses, leading to muscle weakness, deformities, and loss of sensation.
Late Stages (if untreated): Chronic ulcers, deformities of hands and feet, blindness, and other complications.
Important Considerations
Leprosy is curable with MDT.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent disabilities.
Leprosy is not highly contagious.
Social stigma associated with leprosy can be a significant barrier to diagnosis and treatment.
Reconstructive surgery can correct deformities caused by leprosy.
Support groups and counseling can help individuals cope with the physical and emotional challenges of leprosy.