15 Necessary Facts about leprosy everyone should know
Introduction
In the country where the disease is epidemic, you will be
the soft target of the disease if you reside there. In accordance with the WHO
data from 2019:
Brazil, India and Indonesia gave details of more than 10,000
new cases
Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia,
Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Somalia, South
Sudan, Sri Lanka and the United Republic of Tanzania each gave details of 1000–10,000
new cases.
Leprosy is the disease which is caused by the bacterium
Mycobacterium leprae. This disease is characterized by skin sores, nerve
damage, and muscle weakness which worsens over time. In a few cases, body parts
could lose their ability to sense touch and pain, which increase the possibility
of injuries such as cuts and burn.
Thus it is necessary to know some facts about leprosy which
will be helpful in curing this disease in a timely manner.
Facts about leprosy to be known
These facts will burst(finish) the stigma and prejudice so
that individuals suffering from this disease do not get affected by mental
health problem like isolation. Not only this, by knowing the facts about this
disease, individuals affected by this disease do not become susceptible to
discrimination. These facts are:
1.
There is no survival chance for leprosy bacteria
if it is unable to get host for its survival otherwise it will die within a few
days.
2.
Do not let soil that is infected by leprosy come
in contact with open wound as Leprosy bacteria is capable of its survival in
soil amoeba.
3.
The bacteria which is responsible for causing
leprosy is very slow growing. That means it might take upto 20 years for the
symptoms of leprosy to become apparent.
4.
Leprosy does not transmit easily through shaking
hands, sitting next to or talking to someone who is suffering from leprosy,
5.
Leprosy is curable as there are drugs which cure
leprosy are Rifampicin, Dapsone and Clofazimine. In order to prevent antibiotic
resistence, healthcare provider prescribes two to three different kinds of
antibiotics at once.
6.
As leprosy bacteria attacks the nerves of
fingers and toes that is why fingers and toes become numb.
7.
When leprosy bacteria damages eye nerves, this
can lead to blindness.
8.
Aspirin, prednisone, or thalidomide can be used
to control inflammation that is caused due to leprosy.
9.
Muscle weakness occur in leprosy where muscles
and bones begin to disintegrate and get reabsorbed by the body.
10.
If left untreated, leprosy leads to not only progressive
but also to irreversible harm to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes.
11.
As the organism which causes leprosy and the one
that causes TB are closely related, therefore the BCG vaccine which is used
against tuberculosis, may provide protection against leprosy to some extent.
12.
The main effect of the disease is on the skin,
the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and also the eyes.
13.
The transmission of leprosy occurs through droplets,
from the nose and mouth.
14.
When there is involvement of motor nerves,
paralysis such as ‘dropped foot’, ‘dropped wrist’, ‘clawed hand’, or
lagophthalmos (where the eye cannot close) can occur.
15.
When the autonomic nerves are damaged, this
leads to hair loss and can also have effect on the ability to sweat.
Conclusion
By becoming aware about these facts, we will be able to deal
with leprosy and cure this disease in right span of time and develop sympathy
towards people suffering from leprosy.
