Leprosy

Leprosy is a chronic contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin and nerves of the human body, and if left untreated, can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes. Leprosy has a long history of epidemic prevalence and wide distribution, bringing severe suffering to people in endemic areas. To control and eliminate leprosy, it is necessary to adhere to the policy of "prevention first," implement the principle of "active prevention and treatment, control of transmission," and carry out the approach of "investigation, isolation, and treatment simultaneously." Efforts should be made to actively detect and control sources of infection, interrupt transmission routes, and simultaneously enhance the immunity of the surrounding healthy population. For children in endemic areas, family members of patients, and close contacts who show negative reactions to both lepromin and tuberculin tests, BCG vaccination should be administered, or effective chemoprophylaxis should be provided. Leprosy is a disease that causes disfigurement and disability of limbs. Historically, it was widespread around the world, and it is even mentioned in the Bible. Patients may develop multiple ulcers on the body, and since the damage is irreversible, it can lead to disability. Children are most susceptible to this disease, and after infection, it takes 2-7 years for symptoms to appear. The destruction of the feet is caused by leprosy. Patients with leprosy can fully recover with treatment. In many parts of the world, the main reasons leprosy cannot be cured are lack of money or shortage of medication. Hansen began studying leprosy in 1868. This disease often affects multiple members of a family, leading many doctors to suspect it might be a hereditary disease. However, when Hansen examined the medical histories of several cases, he noticed that once a family split up or members lived separately, other members did not contract the disease. Therefore, leprosy cannot be a hereditary disease.