Leprosy
Einstein Health Glossary
ICD 10 - A30
What is leprosy?
Leprosy is an infectious disease that causes skin lesions and nerve damage. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and can affect parts of the body to the point of requiring amputations if left untreated.
Symptoms
Symptoms of leprosy include light or reddish patches on the skin, muscle weakness, and decreased or lost sensation, especially in the hands, arms, and feet.
Causes
Leprosy is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, which is transmitted through saliva droplets from an infected person who has not started treatment.
Diagnosis
Leprosy is diagnosed clinically. Laboratory tests can be used to detect the bacterium, but caution is needed, as the test often returns negative results in the early stages of the disease.
Prevention
Early diagnosis and stopping the contagiousness of leprosy through proper treatment are the best ways to prevent new infections.
Treatment
Leprosy treatment depends on medical evaluation and involves a combination of different medications. Early detection prevents sequelae. Once treatment begins, the disease is no longer contagious.
Duration
Without treatment, leprosy can persist for an indefinite period. Once treated, it can be cured in 6 to 12 months, depending on the severity of the infection.
Is it contagious?
Leprosy is contagious only when untreated, through contact with saliva droplets from an infected person. After treatment begins, it is no longer transmissible.