Question 1

is leprosy contagious?

Accepted Answer

Ever so slightly: A normal immune system wards off the infection (which is completely curable by the way) the germ is transmitted by a person in advanced stage of disease who sneezes or coughs. It takes many exposures probably. The incubation period is about 5 years and several more years until disease sets in. It causes numbness so unfeeling injuries occur and limbs or facial parts are scarred.

Question 2

is leprosy contagious? is it still common?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Leprosy is transmitted by contact with patients infected with mycobacterium leprae.
Not common in the United States today.

Question 3

is leprosy contagious?i received in the mail a letter from the leprosy association asking for donations.if my hands have cuts&i opened the letter touched by a leper (the person who prepared the letter), can i get the disease?how do people get leprosy

Accepted Answer

Not  letter contact: Only prolonged contact with infectious variety of leprosy can transmit leprosy.

Question 4

questions about leprosy=why are there colonies in india? is it contagious?

Accepted Answer

Yes, It's Contagious: Leprosy is still deemed a public health problem in Angola, Brazil, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, and Tanzania.   In these countries, one method of control the spread (and prejudice) is placement in colonies.  In the US, leprosy is found along the southern border due to immigrants.  It is treatable with medication.

Question 5

can you catch leprosy anywhere in the u.s.?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes, but there are very few active cases of leprosy and you must have close contact in order that the disease is transmitted.

Question 6

does anyone know about the prevalence of leprosy ( the hansen disease) in the u.s.)?

Accepted Answer

Really rare: Almost all cases are from immigrants carrying the disease to the us.  When detected they are sent to carville, louisiana for treatment and to isolate them from the general public.  The incidence is tiny.

Question 7

what is leprosy (hansen's disease)?

Accepted Answer

Leprosy: Or Hansen's Disease is an infection caused by Mycobacterium lepromatosis &amp; Mycobacterium Leprae. One may carry these bacteria for five to 20 years before becoming symptomatic.  Granulomas can form on nerves, eyes, skin &amp; in respiratory tract. There may be loss of body parts due to inability to feel pain leading to recurrent injuries &amp; secondary infections. If Leprosy is not treated the symptoms

Question 8

are all the organs affected by leprosy?

Accepted Answer

Not all organs: Granulomas can form on nerves, eyes, skin &amp; in respiratory tract. There may be loss of body parts due to inability to feel pain leading to recurrent injuries &amp; secondary infections.

Question 9

are there still cases of leprosy in the states?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There are approximately 6, 500 cases of leprosy in the U.S., 90 percent of which are in immigrants from countries where the disease is endemic. Those with active disease and requiring drug treatment is approximately 600.

Question 10

what are identifying characteristics of leprosy?

Accepted Answer

Leprosy: Granulomas can form on nerves, eyes, skin &amp; in respiratory tract. There may be loss of body parts due to inability to feel pain leading to recurrent injuries &amp; secondary infections. If Leprosy is not treated the symptoms will progress over time.

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Is leprosy contagious

A member asked:

Is leprosy contagious?

A member asked:

Is leprosy contagious? is it still common?

A member asked:

Is leprosy contagious?i received in the mail a letter from the leprosy association asking for donations.if my hands have cuts&i opened the letter touched by a leper (the person who prepared the letter), can i get the disease?how do people get leprosy

A member asked:

Questions about leprosy=why are there colonies in india? is it contagious?

A member asked:

Can you catch leprosy anywhere in the u.s.?

A member asked:

Does anyone know about the prevalence of leprosy ( the hansen disease) in the u.s.)?

A member asked:

What is leprosy (hansen's disease)?

A member asked:

Are all the organs affected by leprosy?

A member asked:

Are there still cases of leprosy in the states?

A member asked:

What are identifying characteristics of leprosy?

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