The Bacterium The Bacterium

Hansen's Disease, better known as Leprosy, is caused by a rod-shaped bacterium called Mycobacterium leprae. The bacterium progresses at a slow rate and it may take between 9 months and 20 years after infection for symptoms to appear.

The organs mainly affected are the skin, eyes, peripheral nerves, mucosa, and upper respiratory tract

Classification Classification

Leprosy is classified according to the severity of its symptoms:

If symptoms are mild, which indicates that the nerves, it is known as Tuberculoid Leprosy or If symptoms are extreme, which indicates tha known as Lepromatous Leprosy or Multibac If symptoms are mixed, this type of Leprosy and Lepromatous and is known as Borderline intermediate subtypes.

Prevalence Prevalence

In terms o cases are 100,000 pe Globally h 129,389 ca worldwide, g p people. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021-2030: “Towards Zero Leprosy”.

Signs & Symptoms Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of Leprosy mainly affect the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes.

Leprosy can cause skin symptoms such as:

Discolored patches of skin, usually flat, that may be numb and look faded

Growths or nodules on the skin

Thick, stiff or dry skin

Painless ulcers on the soles of feet

Painless swelling or lumps on the face or earlobes

Loss of eyebrows or eyelashes

Symptoms caused by damage to the nerves are:

Numbness of affected areas of the skin

Muscle weakness or paralysis, especially in the hands and feet

Enlarged nerves, especially those around the elbow and knee and in the sides of the neck

Eye problems that may lead to blindness when facial nerves are affected

Symptoms caused by the disease in the mucous membranes are:

A stuffy nose

Nosebleeds