Leprosy Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Leprosy Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Understanding

Leprosy, also known as leprosy or Morbus Hansen, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.

This disease attacks the peripheral nerves (primary), skin, and other body tissues except the central nervous system. An attack on the nervous system will cause the sufferer to go numb.

In the past, this disease had become one of the most feared diseases. However, leprosy can actually be treated and prevented.

Symptom

Recognized symptoms of leprosy include:

• Red bumps
• Numbness, such as loss of touch sensation and pain on the skin
• There is an enlargement of blood vessels, usually around the knees and elbows
• There is a change in the shape of the face
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Loss of fingers

Reason

The cause of leprosy is the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. This bacterium is a type of bacteria that can only grow in certain human and animal cells.

The mode of transmission of the M. leprae bacteria is through discharge from the nose which usually spreads into the air when the sufferer coughs or sneezes.

Apart from the M. leprae bacteria, there are several other factors that also cause leprosy, such as:

• Have regular physical contact with people with leprosy
• Make direct contact with animals that spread the M. leprae bacteria without protection, such as gloves
• Living in a leprosy endemic area
• Have a genetic defect in the immune system

Diagnosis

To determine the diagnosis of leprosy, the doctor will conduct a series of medical interviews and perform an in-person physical examination to find typical general symptoms. The signs of leprosy vary, depending on the level or type of the disease.

Treatment

Treatment of leprosy, the doctor will give antibiotic drugs according to the type of leprosy suffered. Treatment is given regularly for 6 months and completed within a maximum time of 19 months.

Surgery can be done as a follow-up process with the aim of:

• Normalizes the function of damaged nerves
• Improving the body shape of patients who experience changes
• Restore the function of the sufferer’s limbs

Prevention

Because leprosy is a contagious disease, especially in people with low immunity, close contact with sufferers needs to be limited. In addition, it is also necessary to maintain the body’s immune system by exercising regularly and eating nutritious food.