Question 1

what is leprosy?

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. There may be loss of body parts due to inability to feel pain leading to recurrent injuries.

Question 2

does leprosy cause death?

Accepted Answer

Leprosy: According to World Health Organization “Mortality in leprosy is often not considered important since the disease is rarely an immediate cause of death.” Indirect effects of Lepromatous Leprosy ^ mortality 3.5 to 4 x higher than general population. Non-lepromatous Leprosy mortality rate was up to 2 x higher than general population.

Question 3

why haven't we cured leprosy?

Accepted Answer

We have: Leprosy is curable for the individual patient.  May be you mean, why have we not eliminated leprosy?  If that is the question, the answers include lack of an effective vaccine and failure to eliminate poverty.

Question 4

can you tell me about leprosy?

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. There may be loss of body parts due to inability to feel pain leading to recurrent injuries.

Question 5

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 6

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 7

can you get leprosy more than once?

Accepted Answer

Re-infection: About 95% of people have natural immunity to Leprosy. Antibiotic tx is very effective. However, it stands to reason that if treatment were stopped and the person is re-infected that the disease may again progress.

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

can you catch leprosy if visiting colony ?

Accepted Answer

Highly unlikely: Leprosy appears to be transmittable only under circumstances when there has been prolonged intimate personal contact.

Question 10

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.

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Doctor answers about:

Leprosy

A member asked:

What is leprosy?

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Does leprosy cause death?

A member asked:

Why haven't we cured leprosy?

A member asked:

Can you tell me about leprosy?

A member asked:

Can leprosy maime you for life?

A member asked:

What is leprosy (hansen's disease)?

A member asked:

Can you get leprosy more than once?

A member asked:

Are all the organs affected by leprosy?

A member asked:

Can you catch leprosy if visiting colony ?

A member asked:

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

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