World Leprosy Day 2023: Know about this chronic infectious disease, its symptoms, and treatment

Despite the WHO announcing leprosy as an “eliminated” global health problem, over two lakh people are diagnosed with it every year, across the globe. Over half of these global leprosy cases are detected in India. According to WHO and India’s National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), India accounted for 60 percent of new cases detected in 2017 — 1.26 lakh out of 2.10 lakh.

What is leprosy?

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that may lead to severe disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms, legs, and skin areas around your body. Also known as Hansen’s disease, it is a chronic bacterial infection that is caused by the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria. It affects the skin and nervous system. In extreme cases, it might also lead to blindness, paralysis, disfigurement of the nose, and chronic ulcers on the bottom of the feet.

“Leprosy is no longer a highly stigmatised disease. Today, Hansen’s Disease or leprosy is easily treated with a combination of antibiotics like Dapsone, Clofazimine, and Rifampicin,” says Dr Nikhil Kulkarni, Consultant-Internal Medicine, SL. Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate.

He adds, “The illness can be cured if treatment is completed as per expert guidance. With early diagnosis and treatment, the patient can continue to work and live an active life”.

Leprosy diagnosis

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, “Hansen’s disease can be recognized by the appearance of patches of skin that may look lighter or darker than the normal skin. Sometimes the affected skin areas may be reddish. Loss of feeling in these skin patches is common. You may not feel a light touch or a prick with a needle.”

A sample of your skin or nerve (through a skin or nerve biopsy) will be taken to look for the bacteria under the microscope to confirm if you have leprosy.

Can Leprosy be prevented?

Leprosy is caused by a bacterial infection, and is a communicable infection, which means it may spread from person to person. The most common route of transmission is. however, through nasal secretions. “Leprosy is a disease that spreads slowly, but simple hygiene and cleanliness norms can go a long way towards preventing it. It has nearly been eradicated from the majority of countries throughout the world, particularly in the Western world. In India, we continue to see new cases as the disease spreads from person to person owing to a lack of cleanliness and socioeconomic difficulties,” says Dr Raina Nahar, Consultant, Dermatology at P. D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Khar.

Leprosy treatment

Leprosy is curable with a combination of antibiotics known as Multi Drug Therapy (MDT). This treatment is available for free across the world. If leprosy is not treated on time, it can lead to serious complications. “Typically, 2 or 3 antibiotics are used at the same time. These are dapsone with rifampicin, and clofazimine is added for some types of the disease,” stated CDC.

“Antibiotics used during the treatment will kill the bacteria that cause leprosy. But while the treatment can cure the disease and prevent it from getting worse, it does not reverse nerve damage or physical disfiguration that may have occurred before the diagnosis. Thus, it is very important that the disease be diagnosed as early as possible, before any permanent nerve damage occurs,” it added.

Things to keep in mind

You should always complete your medicine course for leprosy. “Patients who quit halfway through the course develop resistance to the bacteria, which is why we have newer medications like minocycline and ofloxacin, which have helped us to overcome drug resistant leprosy also,” shares Dr Nahar.

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