Find Top Doctors Who Treat Leprosy By State

What is Leprosy?

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract, and eyes if left untreated.

However, leprosy is curable with early diagnosis and proper multi-drug antibiotic treatment. Leprosy mainly spreads through respiratory droplets from the nose and mouth during close, prolonged contact with untreated patients. The incubation period is about 5 years on average.

Does leprosy still exist?

Although it is uncommon, people can still contract leprosy. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 208,000 individuals worldwide are infected with leprosy, with the majority of cases being reported in Africa and Asia. In the United States, around 100 people are diagnosed with leprosy every year, mostly in the southern states, California, Hawaii, and some U.S. territories.

What are the Symptoms of Leprosy?

The first signs of leprosy are often vague and may take years to appear. Initial symptoms include:

• Pale or reddish patches on the skin that may be numb
• Numbness or weakness in hands, feet, eyelids
• Nerve pain and tenderness
• Reduced sensation in affected areas

More advanced symptoms include:

• Eye problems like reddened eyes or blindness
• Skin lesions and nodules
• Deformities of the hands and feet can also occur if treatment is delayed.

Causes and Transmission of Leprosy

• Caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae
• Spread through respiratory droplets from the nose and mouth during close contact during coughing and sneezing
• It cannot be spread through casual contact. It is not highly infectious
• The incubation period is about 5 years, on average
• Household contacts of patients at higher risk

According to the CDC, there are under 200 new cases diagnosed per year in the United States. Most cases in the U.S. occur in people who have traveled to areas with higher infection rates.

What are the Types of Leprosy?

The number and type of sores on your skin define leprosy. Different types have different symptoms and treatments. The types are:

• Tuberculoid: This is a milder form. In this type, the skin is flat and pale colored (paucibacillary leprosy). As a result of nerve damage underneath the skin, the affected area may feel numb. In comparison to other forms of leprosy, tuberculoid leprosy is less contagious.
• Lepromatous: This is a more severe form of the disease. There are widespread rashes, bumps, and numbness (multibacillary leprosy). The nose, kidneys, and male reproductive organs may also be affected. It is more contagious than the tuberculoid type.
• Borderline: People with this type have symptoms of both the tuberculoid and lepromatous forms.

How is Leprosy Diagnosed?

Leprosy diagnosis is based on a medical exam of skin lesions and affected nerves in conjunction with a detailed medical history. Skin biopsy and bacterial smear of skin lesions may be done to look for Mycobacterium leprae.

Other diagnostic tests include genetic analysis of bacteria, nerve biopsy, and imaging tests. Early diagnosis and detection are crucial to prevent nerve damage and disability.

How is Leprosy Treated?

Leprosy is treated using multi-drug antibiotic therapy (MDT) for 6-12 months. The most common medications are dapsone, rifampin, and clofazimine. MDT kills the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria and cures the infection.

When treated early, MDT can also reverse some nerve damage caused by the disease. Completing the full antibiotic course is essential to eradicate the bacteria and prevent deformities fully.

Ongoing Care and Prevention

Ongoing patient care and wound management are critical for leprosy patients to prevent disability and deformity. Proper foot care and protective shoes can help prevent injuries and ulcers.

Eye care is also essential to detect and treat eye problems early. With early diagnosis, antibiotic treatment, and continued care, the long-term outlook for leprosy patients is very good. Leprosy can be cured and disability prevented if cases are detected and treated promptly.