World Leprosy Day: Symptoms, Treatment, and Myths Debunked

2024-01-28 21:44:26

World Leprosy Day is commemorated on the last Sunday of January. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people who suffer from this disease face multiple stigmas.

Therefore, the mission of this anniversary is to raise awareness regarding the disease and the importance of having access to diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms of leprosy are:

• Appearance of light or dark spots, or nodules on the skin
• Loss of sensitivity in affected areas
• Muscular weakness
• Tingling sensation in hands and feet

The WHO highlights that, when symptoms are not treated immediately, leprosy causes progressive and permanent sequelae, for example, deformities, numbness of the extremities and blindness.

World Leprosy Day. Photo: Michael Reynolds/EFE

Read also The first census of leprosy in Mexico dimensioned the health emergency in 1927

Leprosy is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae, which affects the skin, peripheral nerves, the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes.

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Symptoms can appear 9 months following contracting the infection and in other cases they can take up to 20 years, details the WHO. And although it is currently considered a treatable disease, its level of contagion is high.

The spread of leprosy occurs through direct contact with an untreated patient. Likewise, there is a risk of acquiring the bacteria through bodily fluids.

Contrary to stigma, leprosy is not spread through casual contact, such as shaking hands or hugging, sharing food, or sitting next to a patient.

Leprosy can cause mutilations. Photo: Special

Read also What is leprosy and how does it affect people in SLP?

In some countries, leprosy treatment is free. The WHO emphasizes that it consists of the administration of three drugs that can be dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine, procedures known as polytherapy.

Polytherapy helps kill the responsible bacteria, cure the patient and prevent disabilities. Depending on the magnitude of the problem, it can take up to 2 years for people diagnosed to recover.

Finally, World Leprosy Day is an opportunity to eradicate the exclusion that patients face due to the fear of others of becoming infected. Once treatment is received, people can live together normally.

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