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Leprosy
(Hansen' s disease)
What is leprosy?
Leprosy is a chronic bacterial disease of the skin, nerves in the hands
and feet and, in some cases, the lining of the nose. Leprosy is a rare
disease in the United States.
Who gets leprosy?
Anyone can get leprosy, but children seem to be more susceptible than
adults.
How is leprosy spread?
It is not clear how the leprosy germ is spread, but household and prolonged
close contact is important. The germs probably enter the body through
the nose and possibly through broken skin. The germs get in the air through
nasal discharge of untreated lepromatous patients.
What are the symptoms of leprosy?
Tuberculoid leprosy symptoms are a few well-defined skin lesions that
are numb. Lepromatous leprosy symptoms are a chronically stuffy nose and
many skin lesions and nodules on both sides of the body.
How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
It usually takes about four years for tuberculoid leprosy symptoms to
appear and about eight years for lepromatous leprosy symptoms to appear.
When and for how long is a person able to spread leprosy?
In most cases, a person will not infect others after about three months
of starting treatment.
What is the treatment for leprosy?
There are two medicines that have to be taken once a month for at least
two years for patients with lepromatous leprosy. For tuberculoid leprosy,
two medicines should be taken once a month for six months.
How can leprosy be prevented?
The best way to prevent the spread of leprosy is the early diagnosis
and treatment of people who are infected. For household contacts, immediate
and annual examination for at least five years after last contact with
a person who is infectious, is recommended.
Source: NY State Department of Health
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