Leprosy Training Module for Medical Officers

The Disease – Leprosy
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria
known as Mycobacterium leprae. The disease mainly affects the
peripheral nerves, skin, and occasionally some other structures.
All systems and organs can be involved in leprosy except the Central
Nervous System .
Though it is highly infectious disease , but we are not getting too many
cases in the society , because these bacilli are having very low pathogenicity
( capacity to produce clinical form of disease ).
Leprosy, with long incubation period between 9 months to 20 years after
infection can affect all age groups. The signs and symptoms may vary
between PB to MB depending upon the degree of patient’s immunity to
M. leprae, the causative agent. Nevertheless, 95 % of the people in our
community are immune to Leprosy. Since the Leprosy bacilli affect the
peripheral nerves, and if not properly cared, the patients lose sensation by and
large, in their hands, feet and eyes, and injuries to these insensitive parts may
lead to disfigurement, which is the main consequence of this disease, that
generates fear and stigma. The early detection and prompt treatment of
Leprosy with prescribed MDT not only cures Leprosy but also interrupts its
transmission to others.
However, the social picture of Leprosy over the last decades. Now, it is
being regarded as a public health disease just like many others, and patients
are being treated by general health services. All countries have officially
adopted the out patient clinic as the base for treating Leprosy, while old and
stigmatising leprosaria are being phased out. This optimistic approach
deserves strong support from health personnel and others at all levels in order
to guarantee patients adequate treatment as well as self respect.
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