What
the public should know about Leprosy
A GINA release, January 29, 2004
Leprosy is a chronic bacterial disease, which
attacks the skin, peripheral nerves and mucous membrane (respiratory
tract). Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease as it
was first identified by G.A Hansen in 1873. It is most common
in warm, wet areas in the tropics and subtropics.
Guyana joined the rest of the world in observing the 51st anniversary
of World Leprosy Day on January 25, and the theme for this year's
observance is 'Keeping Leprosy Under Control".
Acting Minister of Health Dr. Jennifer Westford has stated that
discrimination against persons inflicted with the disease would
not be tolerated.
“The struggle against the stigma associated with the disease
is a major challenge we must continue to face, and strive to eliminate.
Leprosy is a disease that most societies, including ours, rejects,”
said Minister Westford.
Leprosy is characterised by multiple lesions accompanied by sensory
loss in the affected areas. Usually, sensory loss begins in the
toes and fingertips.
In advanced cases, gangrene sets in, causing deformities.
Leprosy in all ages has been considered one of the more despicable
diseases, and victims have been despised and kept in separate
places. Even today, most people with leprosy are shunned by their
neighbours.
At the Mahaicony Hospital, there is a Leprosarium Department where
patients are treated.
It is not clear how the leprosy germ is spread, but the possibility
exist that the germs enter the body through the nose and through
broken skin.
The germs get into the air through nasal discharge of untreated
patients. Anyone can get leprosy, but children seem to be more
susceptible than adults.
There are two kinds of leprosy: tuberculoid leprosy and lepromatous
leprosy.
Tuberculoid leprosy symptoms are a few well-defined skin lesions
that are numb while with lepromatous leprosy patients have chronically
stuffy nose and many skin lesions and nodules all over the body.
It usually takes about four years for a tuberculoid leprosy symptom
to appear and about eight years for lepromatous leprosy symptoms
to appear.
In many cases, a person will not infect others after about three
months of staring treatment.
Two medicines are used to treat tuberculoid leprosy: dapsone and
rifampicine and for lepromatous leprosy there are three medicines.
These are lamprene, dapsone and rifampicine.
The best way to prevent the spread of leprosy is early diagnosis
and treatment of people who are infected.
For households contacts, immediate and annual examinations for
at least five years after last contact with a person who is infectious
– are recommended.
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Thursday,
January 29, 2004