World Leprosy Day: It is curable; loss of eyebrows or eyelashes, numbness in hands or feet are common signs

Leprosy, also Known as Hansen's disease, is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. This bacteria multiplies very slowly as a result of which the symptoms are usually observed after a long period of getting infected. This disease is curable, and treatment in early stages can prevent deformities.

Transmission
Mycobacterium can spread from person to person. Untreated leprosy affected patients are the only known source of infection. One can contract the disease after prolonged close contact over many months with someone who has untreated leprosy.

It happens when an infected person coughs or sneezes, s/he releases droplets into the air. It might also happen if somebody is exposed to other nasal fluids (also known as secretions) that might be contaminated with the bacteria. However, as soon as patients start treatment, they are no longer able to spread the disease.

Risk factors
Those living in endemic areas with poor conditions such as inadequate bedding, contaminated water and insufficient diet, or other diseases that compromise immune function can contract the disease.

Also, one cannot get leprosy from casual contact with a person who has Hansen’s disease like shaking hands or hugging, sitting next to each other on the bus or at work, sitting together at a meal and/or playing.

Signs and symptoms
The Mycobacterium affects skin peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract mucosa and eyes. Some common signs include:

Treatment
The diagnosis is done based on clinical evaluation (loss of sensation and enlarged nerves) and slit skin smear testing.

They are then classified into:
Paucibacillary – those with 1 to 5 skin lesions and no bacilli on slit skin smear
Multibacillary – those with more than 5 skin lesions , presence of bacilli on the slit skin smear irrespective of skin lesions

Leprosy is curable if detected and treated early before deformities set in. It is treated with a multi-drug therapy combination of 2-3 antibiotics to prevent resistance to the bacteria. This treatment for Paucibacillary leprosy is given for six months with two drugs whereas Multibacillary leprosy is treated with three drugs for upto one year.

Leprosy is still stigmatised in our society, despite many efforts by Mahatma Gandhi. Efforts are needed not only to empower people affected by leprosy, but to reintegrate them too. Only then we as a country can truly eradicate leprosy.

(The author is Consultant - Dermatologist & Cosmetologist at Global Hospital Parel, Mumbai)