Leprosy

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by a bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae. It is also known as Hansen's disease, named after its discoverer Gerhard Henrick Armauer Hansen. Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. It can affect all ages and both sexes. Incubation can last anywhere between three months and 40 years, with the average incubation period lasting three to five years. Leprosy is transmitted from one untreated person to another via the respiratory tract or skin. Leprosy is curable and if detected early and treated with a prescribed duration of multidrug therapy (MDT), leprosy will not cause any permanent disability. Leprosy is one of the world's oldest diseases, tracing back to the ancient civilizations of China, Egypt and India. Leprosy was also rampant during the 13th century in Europe. Historically, it is one of the most stigmatized diseases with a reputation of being highly contagious, disfiguring and incurable. In the past leprosy sufferers were banished to "leper colonies". Unfortunately, this practice still exists is some countries today, even though leprosy is now curable and is not considered highly contagious. The bacteria causing leprosy was discovered in 1873. Treatment became available in the late 1940s with the introduction of dapsone. This was revolutionary for leprosy patients since it allowed them to be treated in outpatient clinics, making isolation no longer necessary. Today, the drugs used to cure leprosy have improved. They are more effective and the length of treatment is shorter.