Write causes of Leprosy, also write symptoms and treatment.

Question:

Write causes of Leprosy, also write symptoms  and treatment.

Answer: 

Causes of Leprosy

The pathogen Mycobacterium laprae, the causes leprosy

This disease is caused by bacteria, “Mycobacterium leprae” which is slow-growing. Leprosy is also termed as Hansen’s disease after the name of the scientist – Dr Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen who discovered this infectious disease in the year 1873.

Symptoms of Leprosy

Leprosy firstly affects the skin and then moves on to nerves present outside the brain and spinal cord which is known as the peripheral nerves.

Although it takes three to five years for these symptoms to appear after coming in contact with the bacteria, in some cases, symptoms appear after 20 years of being infected.

The time period between being exposed and the appearance of symptoms is known as the incubation period. If this period increases then, it is very difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease.

Following are some of the symptoms of leprosy:

• Severe pain.
• Bleeding Nose.
• Growth on skin.
• Enlarged nerves.
• Stiff, dry, and thick skin.
• Ulcers on the soles of the feet.
• Paralysis or muscle weakness.
• Non-sensitive lesions on the body.
• Numbness in hands, arms, feet, and legs.
• Eye problems that might even cause blindness.

Diagnosis of Leprosy

The diagnosis of leprosy is based on signs and symptoms. A skin test or a skin lesion biopsy is advised by the doctors to detect the disease.

Treatment of Leprosy

Leprosy treatment fully depends on the type of leprosy the patient is suffering from. Antibiotics are used by doctors to treat the infection. Long-term treatment includes two or more antibiotics which will carry from 6 months to a year.

People suffering from severe leprosy may need to take antibiotics for a longer time period. But, these antibiotics are unable to treat the nerve damage. There are some anti-inflammatory drugs that are used to control nerve pain and severe damage caused by leprosy.