what is Leprosy?
What is Leprosy?
Leprosy is one of the ancient diseases but still affecting many people in the world. For the past many years, people who are affected with this disease used to lose some of their body parts such as fingers and toes as the disease affects the nervous system. Lepers were treated as untouchables and were forced to live in the outskirts of the villages and towns thinking that they would affect many more people. Hence lepers used to live in leprosy colonies that are far away from the villages and towns. But, today there are many powerful drugs that can cure leprosy and it is not as dangerous as many other diseases like COVID-19.
Causes & Symptoms
Leprosy is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium Leprae It is not highly contagious but untreated patients can spread the disease via the droplets from the discharges from their mouth and nose. It starts as white patches or raised red spots on the skin where the peripheral nerves are damaged. Then slowly the patient develops nodules and the bacteria continue to weaken the nervous system that finally results in loss of sensation in hands and feet. Hence the patient doesn’t feel any pain even if the fingers are burned. This is the beginning of losing fingers and toes. It slowly affects the facial parts too. It can cause eye damage or even blindness and can cause kidney damage and failure.
Prevention
We can prevent the spread of leprosy by avoiding contact with the people who are affected with leprosy. People don’t need to quarantine if they are affected. The best way to prevent the spread of the disease is by early diagnosis and treatment.