Leprosy is a chronic, progressive bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the nerves of the extremities, the skin, the lining of the nose, and the upper respiratory tract. Leprosy is also known as Hansen's disease.
Leprosy produces skin patches, ulcers. If it isn't treated, it can cause severe disfigurement and significant disability.
Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases in recorded history. The first known written reference to leprosy is from around 600 B.C.
Leprosy is common in many countries, especially those with tropical or subtropical climates.
Leprosy only causes infections in humans. The disease is probably transmitted from the lining of the nose of a person with the infection to the skin and respiratory tract of another person. Close and frequent contact is required for transmission but only a small proportion of close contacts, for example, in the same household, actually develop leprosy.
A contact is any person who has been close enough to an infected person to be at risk of having acquired the infection from that person
- Signs and symptoms of Leprosy
A person with leprosy may have symptoms across a spectrum ranging from a form of leprosy where:
• There are many symmetrical lumps (nodules, papules and macules) on both sides of the body
• Involvement of the lining of the nose causing crusting and difficulty in breathing
• Bleeding and inflammation of the eye (keratitis and iritis).
To a form of leprosy where:
• There are a few skin lesions with loss of feeling that are clearly marked (loss of pigment or reddish colour)
• There is symmetrical thickening of the nerves of the arms, legs and face on both sides of the body with loss of feeling (Sensation).
Complications of leprosy include permanent deformity and disability, especially of the hands, feet and face; most of which can be prevented by early treatment. Special reconstructive surgery can correct many deformities that develop.
• Exclude people with leprosy from childcare, preschool, school and work until approval to return has been given by an infectious diseases physician, dermatologist
• Control is best achieved by the rapid elimination of infectivity in people with leprosy using multi-drug therapy
• Because close and prolonged contact is required for transmission, travellers to areas where leprosy is present have a very low risk of contracting the disease.