PharmEasy Blog

Leprosy Disease: History, Symptoms and Treatment

Leprosy disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and transmission is thought to be either via the respiratory route or through direct contact with an infected organism.

Infection by the bacteria doesn’t mean that you have the disease. There are 2 possible presentations: tuberculoid or lepromatous. In the tuberculoid form, the patient is capable of mounting an adequate cell-mediated response, where a couple of hypopigmented lesions appears in the patient’s body. The lepromatous form is usually what we recognize as Leprosy disease, whereby the infected is presented with numerous, poorly demarcated lesions over the body and is thought to be due to an overwhelming B-cell response that damages the nerves in addition to the bacteria.

History

We usually think of leprosy in the context of the Middle ages or the Biblical plague. However, there is still around an estimated two to three million people who suffer from this disease even today.

Leprosy had entered England by the 4th century and was a regular feature of life by 1050. Today it is known as Hansen’s disease. The first known example of a leper hospital is thought to be St Mary Magdalena in Winchester, Hampshire where burial excavations found evidence of the disease. The remains were found to be of that between 960 and 1030 AD.

It was long thought to hit humans exclusively but recently, scientists have learned that armadillos can also harbour the leprosy virus.

With the start of multidrug therapy (MDT) in a timely manner after the initial onset, leprosy is generally seen as a curable disease. The treatment with MDT can prevent extensive deformity and neurological disability.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Symptoms

The bacteria can take from 2 to 10 years to fully develop. When it does, the following symptoms can be noticed:

Some symptoms of leprosy may include:

Leprosy has long been considered a stigma for the patient, the family and the community, but great advances made in early diagnosis and treatment, with multi-drug treatment (MDT) and reconstructive surgery helps to restore normal appearance and function. Leprosy is not now a disease to be feared.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Treatment

Leprosy can be cured. In the last two decades, 16 million people with leprosy disease have been treated. The World Health Organization provides free healing for all people with leprosy.

Treatment depends on the type of leprosy that the person has. Antibiotics are used to treat the disease. Long-term treatment, usually from six months to a year with two or more antibiotics is recommended. People with severe symptoms may need to take antibiotics for a longer period of time. Antibiotics, however, cannot treat nerve damage.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to manage nerve pain and damage related to the disease. Patients may also be given thalidomide, a potent medication that suppresses the body’s immune system. It helps treat leprosy skin nodules.

Thalidomide is however known to cause severe, grave birth defects and should by no means be taken by women who are pregnant or women who might become pregnant.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

1
1