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Leprosy is a grossly misunderstood
disease over the generations. A potentially crippling disease, it is also a
visible ailment. Unlike other diseases,
social stigma arising out of fear, ignorance and superstitious beliefs create barriers in
detection, treatment and cure of leprosy.
Leprosy
is a chronic, mildly infectious disease caused by a germ called Mycobacterium leprae (M.
leprae) which was discovered by Dr. A. Hansen, a Norwegian scientist way back in 1873. It
is not caused by the curse of gods, as some people believe. It is a disease of the nerves
affecting the skin and certain other organs. It is the least infectious among communicable
diseases.
Leprosy
is completely curable now with modern drugs. Leprosy is transmitted from one person to
another by a variety of means. Modern science believes transmission of the disease through
the air as a major channel. Skin-to-skin contact for long and sustained period may be
necessary to transmit the disease.
Patients
under regular and adequate treatment cannot transmit the disease to other people. Leprosy
is not hereditary, as children born of leprosy patients do not have leprosy at the time of
birth. A pale patch on the skin with loss of sensation can be leprosy (non-itching and
non-painful or hypopigmented patches). Oily, shiny copper-coloured skin can also be a sign
of leprosy. However, all patches on the skin are not leprosy.
Leprosy
is of two kinds :
Paucibacillary
(PB) and Multibacillary (MB). In PB cases the bacilli are few in number and
therefore do not pose a public health hazard. In MB cases the bacilli are present in
enormous numbers, and therefore, they can transmit leprosy to susceptible individuals if
the MB patients are not under treatment.
The
public are advised to understand this carefully. About 20% of the patients are children.
Child patients can be cured comparatively easily and in a short period.
About 95% of the patients live within the society taking necessary treatment.
Leprosy is
not only a medical problem but a social problem as well. Leprosy is a crippling and
visible disease. For centuries, leprosy did
not have a cure. Fear, ignorance, poverty and superstitious beliefs had all conspired to
make leprosy patients outcasts in the society. Multi-drug
therapy (MDT) has offered definite and complete cure for leprosy.
Size of the problem
Of the
estimated 12 million leprosy cases in the world in 1981, India had 4 million i.e one
third. The prevalence rate in India at that
time was 57.6 patients per 10,000 population and there were several hyperendemic districts
with over 100/10,000 prevalence rate.
Through concerted action by the Central and State Governments as well as
Voluntary Associations, the number of patients in India has come down about
less than 1 lakh by the end of March
2006
with a prevalence rate of less than 1 patient per
10,000 population. India has
achieved the goal of leprosy elimination by 2006. The fight is not over.
There are leprosy-cured persons with
deformities. Prevention and correction of
deformities and rehabilitation of such persons require a massive effort. Citizen's participation and continued support
are absolutely necessary to achieve success in these areas.
Important
points to remember
Leprosy is caused by a germ
and not by curse of gods.
A pale or red patch on the
skin may be leprosy. Do consult a Doctor.
Leprosy is not hereditary
Leprosy is completely
curable with regular treatment.
Leprosy is like any other
disease and it is least infectious.
Early detection and regular
treatment prevent deformities and disabilities.
Leprosy patients can live at
home and do normal work while under regular treatment.
Do
not isolate leprosy patients. Accept them in
the family and community
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