Leprosy Disease Treatment

Leprosy is absolutely curable: This disease has always been associated with extreme social stigma since itis thought to behighly contagious and incurable. Both these notions are absolutely wrong and baseless. Leprosy is caused by a bacteria which is closely related to the germ of tuberculosis. It is the least contagious of all infections. If the treatment is taken early, it is easily cured; if, however, the treatment is delayed, then deformities develop; but even these can be cOlTected with surgery.

The most important symptoms of leprosy are decreased sensation and the appearance of light coloured patches on the skin. The neIVes might become painful. If the treatment is not taken at this stage, deformities might develop. Treatment of leprosy is' available at all the hospitals. Nowadays, multiple drugs are used to ensure a total cure - dapsone, clofazimine and rifampicin are the drugs commonly used. Medication needs to be taken regularly for a duration varying from 6 months to 2 years. Before starting treatment, the doctor might take a piece of the skin to study it under the microscope - this will help him decide about the duration of treatment.

There are several myths about leprosy which need to be dispelled. For centuries it has been perpetuated that leprosy is a curse. This is not true because it is just another infection caused by bacteria. It is also not an inherited problem and it cannot be transmitted from the mother to an unborn child. Leprosy is curable-even the deformities are amenable to surgery.

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