Myths & Facts On Leprosy That Are Still Prevalent

Leprosy is an ancient disease that can be cured easily with basic medical care. There was a time when people continued to suffer from this disease as they lacked access to medical care and facilities as well as were surrounded by the stigma around the illness.

It is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Its symptoms usually do not appear for a long time after the infection. Hence, diagnosis is important, followed by an easy treatment with antibiotics. Proper education regarding the disease spread awareness and helps to eliminate the discrimination and stigma around the illness. Some myths and facts every people should be aware of include the following :

• Leprosy does not exist - Many people get affected by this disease every year but due to being surrounded by misconceptions and stigma, they hesitate to come ahead and talk about this. This causes delayed treatment, leading to disability.

• Leprosy is incurable - People still have misconceptions that the disease is incurable. The treatment was discovered by WHO in 1995 and from then, it has become quite easy to access the medical care and facilities for getting the required treatment.

• Leprosy-affected people should be kept isolated - The disease was considered to be extremely infectious which is just a myth. The affected individual can undergo easy treatment with antibiotics and lead a normal life with family and friends.

• Leprosy is contagious - This is a myth that we can acquire the disease by sitting with the affected people or by just shaking hands with them. Every individual has a natural immunity which provides resistance from acquiring this infection from others.

• Leprosy is a result of sin - It was believed that the disease is sent by God as a result of sin. However, this is merely a misconception about leprosy. It is caused by a slow proliferation of bacteria.

• Leprosy affects only older age groups - This is a quite common misconception. Leprosy can affect people from any age group.  Due to a long incubation period, a person affected in his adulthood experiences the symptoms after getting old. 

• Fingers and toes are dropped off due to Leprosy - Since the disease attacks our nervous system, the fingers and toes get numb and become prone to infections and damage. They do not fall off.