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| Logo of world leprosy day |
Leprosy is a misunderstood disease .It is an infectious disease. It is caused by a bacteria known as Mycobacterium leprae. The disease affects skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes areas. Leprosy day is celebrated world wide every year on the last sunday of january, to spread awareness among the people. This year 2024 leprosy day was celebrated on January 28 . It is celebrated internationally.
But in India ,this day is always celebrated on January 30,because of the death of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi ji worked for many leprosy patients, therefore in the memories of Gandhi ji, it is celebrated on January 30 , every year.
WHY LEPROSY IS A MISUNDERSTOOD DISEASE ?
This is a misunderstood disease from a long time ago. In our society, patients of this disease are discriminated against on every basis. Because of its wrong information about spreading the disease, it is considered as misunderstood.
This is transmitted through droplets coming from nose and mouth. this doesn’t spread through shaking hands. It doesn’t spread while sitting together. this doesn’t spread while sharing foods.
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| A leprosy patient |
1 . Numbness
2 . Tingling
3 . Red patches appeared on skin
4 . Loss of sensation in the feet and hand region
5 . Loss of eyelashes and eyebrows [Facial leprosy]
6 . Tip region of hand and feet and elbows are mostly affected.
7 skin pigmentation starts disappearing
8 . Fingers tips start falling slowly
9 . Social discrimination
10 . Stigmatization
11 . Physical deformity
Disease is diagnosed by finding the following signs :-
1 . Thickened or enlarged peripheral nerve, with loss of sensation, and weakness of muscles supplied by the nerve.
2 . Microscopic detection of Bacillus in the slit skin smear.
3 . Hypopigmentation Or reddish skin, and the red skin has no sensation.
Leprosy is a curable disease. To cure , it can take 6 to 12 months . Cure process for leprosy is very slow, with an incubation period of onset of signs and symptoms of 5 years. Mycobacterium leprae, is an acid – fast , rod shaped bacilli, multiplies very slowly. Treatment is of two types of this disease:-
PAUCI BACILLARY CASE [PB]
It is a case with 1 – 5 skin lesions , without demonstrated presence of bacilli in the skin smear.
2 . MULTI BACILLARY CASE [MB]
It is a case of this disease with more than 5 skin lesions, demonstrated with the presence of bacilli in slit skin smear. Some medicines are prescribed to the patients –
1 . Rifampicin
2 . Clofazimine
3 . Dapsone .
The combination of these drugs are called MDT [multi drug therapy ].
Bacillus
SOME DATA TAKEN FROM [ WHO]
1. In 2022 , 174087 new cases were recorded worldwide.
2 .this disease occurs in more than 120 countries.
3 . Brazil comes on top for leprosy patients.
4 . As per data of 2019 , Brazil, India and Indonesia reported more than 10 , 000 new cases. Other countries are, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Nepal, Myanmar, Philippines, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Shri Lanka, United Republic of Tanzania, each reported 1000 – 10,000 cases.
5 . WHO provides technical support to member states on prevention and control.
6 . Every year WHO collects Epidemiological data from all its member states and publishes a consolidated report in English and French in weekly Epidemiological records, for data pertaining to the previous calendar year. These data are provided by the Countries.
7 . Confirmed case of this disease 775,583,309 and confirmed death 7,050,691 . [ date- 2 June 2024 , updated report from WHO ]
8 . WHO developed e – learning enhances knowledge and skills of health workers at all levels on topics related to diagnosis and treatment of this disease and management of disabilities. These can be accessed the Open WHO platform.
9 . WHO’s Global leprosy strategy 2021 – 2030 ” Towards Zero” makes combating stigmas and respect for human rights .
10 . This is also the goal of the annual Global Appeal to End – Stigma and Discrimination against persons affected by this disease , an initiative launched by the SASAKAWA LEPROSY [ HANSEN’S DISEASE] initiated in 2006.
WRITTEN BY : SONI SHARMA
FAQ….
1 . IS LEPROSY CURABLE ?
ANS . IT IS COMPLETELY CURABLE.
2 . HOW IS LEPROSY TREATED ?
ANS . IT IS TREATED USING MULTI DRUGS THERAPY ( MDT ) MANY COUNTRIES INCLUDING INDIA.
3 . WHAT IS MDT ?
ANS . COMBINATION OF AMTIBIOTICS.
4 . IS LEPROSY HEREDITARY ?
ANS . IT IS NOT HEREDITARY ‘ THOUGH GENETICS MAY INFLUENCE SUSCEPTIBILITY.
5 . IS HERE A VACCINE FOR LEPROSY ?
ANS . THERE IS NO SPECIFIC VACCINE FOR LEPROSY .BUT THE BCG VACCINE OFFER PARTIAL PROTECTION.
