Leprosy- Treatment, and Prevention

Leprosy is a disease that spreads by a bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. It is chronic but can be cured if caught at early stages. It spreads through nasal secretions. A person is likely to catch the bacteria if a leprosy patient coughs or sneezes around them. It can take anywhere between 6 months and 40 years to develop. It is still common in India, China, Japan, Egypt, and Nepal. 

How to Treat Leprosy?

Firstly, a person with the symptoms should be taken to the doctor immediately. If detected early, antibiotics can kill the bacteria and cure the person suffering from it. The early symptoms of leprosy include numbness, loss of temperature sensation, pain in joints, nerve injury, pins, and needles sensation. Hence, if you know anyone who is suffering, take them to the hospital. 

Prevention 

If leprosy has been detected, then one must avoid long-term contact with someone who has leprosy until it is cured. One must take special care to avoid stirring a cold or cough in a leprosy patient as that is the most likely way for it to spread. Certain animals such as an Armadillo native to Mexico and the United States also spread leprosy. Hence it is important to be extremely careful around these animals. 

There is no vaccination against leprosy, However, the BCG vaccine may help prevent decrease a person’s chances of contracting the disease.