Question 1

what is leprovac - vaccine for leprosy - help?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Leprovac is a vaccine that was investigated for leprosy.

Question 2

i need to know if there is any vaccine for leprosy?

Accepted Answer

Clinical research: While there is some clinical evidence that the bcg vaccine (given in certain countries as a vaccine for tb) can be somewhat protective against leprosy (since the two diseases are caused by similar organisms), it is not a great vaccine against leprosy. There are many academic centers around the world currently working on making a better vaccine.

Question 3

i am planning on volunteer to help out at a leprosy colony. is there a vaccine to protect me from it?

Accepted Answer

No: But you're very unlikely to get leprosy in a leprosy colony.  First, leprosy is not very contagious.  Second, people in colonies have generally had it for a long time, and have either already been treated or are currently being treated.

Question 4

could leprosy mutate into a deadlier disease, resisitant to current vaccines?

Accepted Answer

Agree w Dr. Novick: Vaccine is in development at this time. Currently there have been no cases of leprosy which are resistant to multi-drug tx. Multi-drug therapy for multibacillary leprosy is usually Dapsone, Rifampicin &amp; Clorazime. Other antibiotics can be used. Fewer antibiotics may be used for other forms of leprosy. Multi-drug therapy continues to be an effective treatment for leprosy.

Question 5

how does leprosy spread?

Accepted Answer

Spread of Leprosy: About 95% of people have natural immunity to Leprosy. It is most likely that leprosy is transmitted by lengthy &amp; close contact with nasal droplets from an infected person.

Question 6

can leprosy maime you for life?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The severity is quite variable but all forms of leprosy can be disfiguring. The missing fingers and leonine faces of lepers are still seen in some parts of the world, though they should not be.

Question 7

what are your symptoms if you get leprosy?

Accepted Answer

Two major types: Lepromatous type has thickened skin and nerves and progressive loss of skin and tissue from the coldest part of the body, e.G, hands feet, nose etc.  Tuberculoid type affects nerves and causes loss of sensation, pigment changes and ulcers.

Question 8

has there been a cure developed yet for leprosy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Leprosy has been curable for a long time.

Question 9

what is the definition or description of: leprosy?

Accepted Answer

Leprosy: Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is an often chronic infection caused by  Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. It can attack the nervous system and lead to significant disfigurement.

Question 10

is leprosy a fatal disease?

Accepted Answer

Sort of: Leprosy is a chronic slowly progressive illness and it is treatable.  Left untreated, it can cause death after a number of years of being ill with the disease.

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Doctor answers about:

Leprosy vaccine

A member asked:

What is leprovac - vaccine for leprosy - help?

A member asked:

I need to know if there is any vaccine for leprosy?

A member asked:

I am planning on volunteer to help out at a leprosy colony. is there a vaccine to protect me from it?

A member asked:

Could leprosy mutate into a deadlier disease, resisitant to current vaccines?

A member asked:

How does leprosy spread?

A member asked:

Can leprosy maime you for life?

A member asked:

What are your symptoms if you get leprosy?

A member asked:

Has there been a cure developed yet for leprosy?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: leprosy?

A member asked:

Is leprosy a fatal disease?

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