Many times in old films, leprosy would have been called leprosy. Gradually it spread in the society as an untouchable and dirty disease. People started shying away from touching leprosy patients and kept them away from the society. But, does this skin melting and stiff hands and feet disease really spread by touch? About this we spoke to Dr. Aakriti Gupta, Dermatologist, Jivisha Clinic, New Delhi.
Will leprosy spread by touch?
According to dermatologist Dr. Aakriti Gupta, leprosy does not occur just by touching the patient’s skin. In fact, leprosy bacteria are not spread by casual or brief skin-to-skin contact, such as: shaking hands or hugging, or sitting next to each other on a bus.
Leprosy is believed to be transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth during prolonged contact with affected individuals. Now it is a completely curable disease in most of the cases.
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Then how does leprosy spread?
Leprosy is caused by a slow-growing type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). It is not clear exactly how leprosy is spread. Dr Aakriti Gupta explained that when a person with leprosy coughs or sneezes, they can spread droplets containing M. leprae bacteria.
Close physical contact with an infected person is necessary to transmit leprosy. It is not spread by casual contact with an infected person, such as by shaking hands, hugging, or sitting next to them during a meal, on a bus, or at a table.
Leprosy can be completely eradicated
Leprosy can be cured. According to some data found online, 16 million people with leprosy have been cured in the last 2 decades. Treatment depends on the type of leprosy you have. Antibiotics are used to treat infection.
Doctors recommend long-term treatment, usually from 6 months to a year. If you have severe leprosy you may need to take antibiotics for a longer period of time.
Ignoring you will have to give and take
Left untreated or ignored, leprosy can permanently damage the skin, nerves, hands, feet, and eyes. As-
- blindness or glaucoma
- iritis
- hair loss
- infertility
- facial disfigurement (including permanent swelling, bumps, and lumps)
- erectile dysfunction and infertility in men
- kidney failure
- muscle weakness, causing the hands to become claw-like or not being able to flex their legs
- permanent damage to the inside of your nose
- permanent damage to nerves outside your brain and spinal cord, including those in the arms and legs
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot be a substitute for any medicine or treatment in any way. Always consult your doctor for more details.