Leprosy (patient information): Difference between revisions
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Children are more susceptible than adults to contracting the disease. | Children are more susceptible than adults to contracting the disease. | ||
People who live in countries where the disease is widespread are at higher risk of contracting he disease. These countries include: | People who live in countries where the [[Leprosy|disease]] is widespread are at higher [[Risk factor|risk]] of contracting he [[Leprosy|disease]]. These countries include: | ||
* Angola | * Angola | ||
* Brazil | * Brazil | ||
Revision as of 14:11, 2 July 2014
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Leprosy |
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Leprosy On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores, nerve damage, and progressive debilitation. Most commonly affected areas include peripheral nerves, skin, eyes, upper respiratory tract and nasal mucosa.[1] Once known as a highly contagious and deadly disease, today it is very rare and is easily treated with medication. Accordingly, an early diagnosis and prompt treatment represent the standard approach to this condition, thereby preventing disability related to disease.[2]
What are the symptoms of Leprosy?
Symptoms include:
- Skin lesions that are lighter than your normal skin color.
- Numbness or absent sensation in the hands, arms, feet, and legs.
- Muscle weakness
What causes Leprosy?
Leprosy is caused by the organism Mycobacterium leprae. It is not very contagious (difficult to transmit) and has a long incubation period (time before symptoms appear), which makes it difficult to determine where or when the disease was contracted. Children are more susceptible than adults to contracting the disease.
Leprosy has two common forms, tuberculoid and lepromatous, and these have been further subdivided. Despite this classification, both forms produce sores on the skin, but the lepromatous form is most severe, producing large, disfiguring lumps and bumps (nodules). Also, forms of the disease eventually cause nerve damage in the arms and legs, which causes sensory loss in the skin and muscle weakness. People with long-term leprosy may lose the use of their hands or feet due to repeated injury resulting from lack of sensation.
Leprosy is common in many countries worldwide, and in temperate, tropical, and subtropical climates. Approximately 100 cases per year are diagnosed in the United States. Most cases are limited to the South, California, Hawaii, and U.S. island possessions. Today effective medications are available, and isolation of victims in "leper colonies" is unnecessary. The emergence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium leprae, as well as increased numbers of cases worldwide, has led to global concern about this disease.
Who is at highest risk?
Children are more susceptible than adults to contracting the disease.
People who live in countries where the disease is widespread are at higher risk of contracting he disease. These countries include:
- Angola
- Brazil
- Central African Republic
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Federated States of Micronesia
- India
- Kiribati
- Madagascar
- Mozambique
- Nepal
- Republic of Marshall Islands
- United Republic of Tanzania
When to seek urgent medical care?
Although cases of leprosy in the United States are rare, you should contact your health care provider in case you feel you are developing symptoms of leprosy, in particular if you have had recent contact with someone who has the disease. Cases of leprosy in the United States need to be reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Diagnosis
- Lepromin skin test can be used to distinguish lepromatous from tuberculoid leprosy, but is not used for diagnosis.
- Skin lesion biopsy
- Skin scraping examination for acid fast bacteria
Treatment options
A number of different antibiotics, such as dapsone, rifampin, clofazamine, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and minocycline are used to kill the bacteria that causes the disease. Aspirin, prednisone, or thalidomide are used to control inflammation.
Where to find medical care for Leprosy?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Leprosy
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Early recognition is important. Early treatment limits damage by the disease, renders the person noninfectious (you can't catch the disease from them), and allows for a normal lifestyle.
Possible complications
- Cosmetic disfigurement
- Permanent nerve damage
Prevention
Prevention consists of avoiding close physical contact with untreated people. People on long-term medication become noninfectious (they do not transmit the organism that causes the disease).
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001347.htm