Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) is a typical disease that causes skin sores, skin and nervedamage, muscle weakness and inability to feel through the skin. It has been widespread and known since the biblical times.
The main cause is the Mycobacterium Leprae. Before it was known to be incurable, individuals with Leprosy was used to be isolated in "Leper Colonies", but now science have evolved with answers for cure. Effective medications have been discovered in the United States and other developing countries.
It is common in tropical and subtropical places. However the gravity of contaminating other individuals is not likely high because the bacteria has a very long incubation period. You will never know if a person have it because most likely the symptoms appear in the latent phase.
Symptoms:
- skin sores which may be lighter that the normal skin color and has decreased sensation to pain, heat and touch.
- skin stiffness and dryness
- muscle weakness and numbness on the affected areas of the body specifically on the hands and feet, could also lead to loss of fingers and toes
Tests
- Skin lesion biopsy and skin scarping examinations
Treatment
- Dapson, Rifampicin, Clofazamine, Fluroquinolones, Macrolides and Minocycline
Prevetion
Avoiding CLOSE and LONG physical contact with untreated individuals. Patients on long term tretments are not highly contagious.
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