Leprosy – A Dreaded Disease
Many times at signals you must have seen beggars with scaly and discolored skin. They have bleeding wounds tied with stained bandages. And it does not just end here; they have various physical deformities also. The look itself scares you. And when they approach you asking money, there is a natural retraction from your side. You will not like this leper touching you or any of your belongings. There is a constant fear – ‘What if I get it from him?’ If this is what medical fraternities start thinking then ideally no doctor should be treating any such disease condition.
Leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease) is one of the most socially stigmatized diseases. The first written documentation of leprosy is dated back to 600 BC. It was recognized in the civilizations of China, Egypt and India. In India, leprosy is known since ancient times as krustha roga, and attributed to punishment or curse from God. In early days, leprosy was believed to be caused by some sin or curse or it was thought to be hereditary. It was in 1873, when Dr. Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen of Norway identified the germ – Mycobacterium leprae that causes leprosy.
Mycobacterium leprae multiplies very slowly and the incubation period of the disease is about five years. Symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear. Leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted through droplets, from nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases. Leprosy mainly affects the skin and nerves, and if untreated, there can be progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.
Today leprosy is a curable disease and treatment provided in the early stages can prevent the incident of disability in the affected person. The World Health Organization (WHO) Study Group recommended Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) in 1981. MDT consists of three drugs – dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine. This drug combination kills the pathogen and cures the patient. Since 1995, the WHO has supplied MDT free of cost to leprosy patients in all endemic countries. There are also other medications given along to take care of the inflammation caused in leprosy.
The World Leprosy Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of the January, which was on twenty fifth this year. This day is to bring awareness amongst the common masses. People should be educated that it is no shame to suffer from leprosy. Hiding the symptoms won’t help but will cause permanent nerve damage and cosmetic disfigurement. An appropriate treatment on time is required to cure this infection. Prevention consists of avoiding close physical contact with untreated people. Leprosy is not very contagious. Approximately 95% of people have natural immunity to the disease.
Leprosy is a disease that makes the patient suffer physically but the community attitude of isolation and withdrawal adds to their mental suffering. Lepers are usually pushed out of the society and are forced to be beggars. Besides educating yourself about this disease, it is also important to remember that people who are suffering from leprosy do not require isolation but require treatment and moral support. So, next time you see that beggar with bandages – do not pull back but try to help that helpless in what ever way you can.
