World Leprosy Day is internationally observed on the last Sunday of January month. The day is observed in order to focus on zero cases of Leprosy or Hansen’s disease and to increase the awareness among people. This year it is being observed on January 30. This day chosen in commemoration of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, as he was the leader of the bygone era, who understood Leprosy and the importance of knowing about the disease.

Meaning of Leprosy or Hansen’s disease; Causes and Treatments:

What is Leprosy?

Leprosy can also be termed as Hansen’s disease. It is a long term chronic infectious disease. The symptoms typically remain out of sight for 5 to 20 years that mainly affects skin, eyes, nose and peripheral nerves. This disease is spread amongst those people majorly hail from areas that have poor standard of living and sanitation facilities. It is a long-term infection and the symptoms typically remain, without being noticed for 5 to 20 years. Leprosy is caused by an infection from the bacterium named Mycobacterium Leprae.

Are you looking for signs and symptoms of the chronic disease?

Leprosy is a long-term disease by the bacterium Mycobacterium or Mycobacteriam Lepromatosis. It is as like as Tuberculosis. The main signs and symptoms includes:

Pain areas: In the joints

Skin: Blisters, Loss of colour, Rashes, Ulcers, or Redness.

Sensory: Reduced sensation of touch, pins and needles in body, or loss of heat sensation

Also common: Nerve injuries or Weight loss

  • A light-coloured or red skin patches with reduced sensations, numbness and weakness in hands and feet is the primary symptom, as it is an external sign.

  • If not detected then the secondary stage can lead to tissue loss, causing fingers and toes to become shortened and deformed.

The time in between the contact of bacteria and its visibility is known as incubation period, whereas it is not certain, as it varies from people to people. Generally 3-5 years is the incubation period but it might take up to 20 years for the symptoms to get multiplied.

How Leprosy is diagnosed?

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), diagnosis is based on one of these signs:

  • Common nerve injury or weight loss.

  • A light-coloured or red skin patches with reduced sensation.

    A skin biopsy or scraping is performed using polymerase chain reaction. A Lepromin skin test is also undertaken to determine the type of Leprosy.

How to get treated?

Multi-drug therapy can cure Leprosy within 6-12 months. Early treatment avoids disability and can help prevent severe birth defects.

Medications used in Leprosy:

Antibiotics: Stops the growth of or kills bacteria

Steroid: Modifies or simulates hormone effects, often to reduce inflammation or for tissue growth and repair.

The disease is significantly serious and it is curable as well. To prevent and cure the Leprosy disease one should go and consult a doctor for medical advice, once you are familiar with the symptoms.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 30, 2018 07:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).