Leprosy Information

• Leprosy

Leprosy is a complex infectious disease caused by an infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. This eMedTV article discusses the disease in detail, including its history, transmission methods, the various types, treatments, and prevalence.

• Causes of Leprosy

The causes of leprosy can be traced to an infection with Mycobacterium leprae. This eMedTV article discusses this bacteria in detail and explains factors that affect how it is transmitted, such as genetics or environmental conditions.

• Mycobacterium Leprae

This eMedTV article provides an overview of Mycobacterium leprae, including its history, possible transmission methods, and recent statistics. This bacteria causes leprosy and mainly affects the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes.

• Is Leprosy Contagious?

Evidence indicates that leprosy is contagious only when a person has not received treatment. As this eMedTV segment explains, once treatment has begun, a person shortly becomes noninfectious.

• Leprosy Skin Lesions

This eMedTV article discusses leprosy skin lesions in detail for both types of the disease. For example, slightly red patches of skin that appear on the trunk or extremities, or a symmetrical skin rash are two possible indications of leprosy.

• Diagnosis of Leprosy

As this eMedTV page explains, in order for a doctor to make a diagnosis of leprosy, a patient's symptoms, medical conditions, and medications are considered. This page also explains tests that confirm the diagnosis and factors that can cause delay.

• Treatment for Leprosy

This eMedTV article explains various forms of treatment for leprosy, which generally involves medicines combined with supportive care. Supportive care is treatment for symptoms and complications associated with the disease.

• Effects of Leprosy

This eMedTV article discusses the effects of leprosy in detail (such as muscle weakness, a skin rash, and enlarged nerves). The article also explains factors that can affect the type of symptoms a person has and their severity.

• Cure Leprosy

In order to cure leprosy, doctors prescribe antibiotics that kill the bacteria responsible for the disease. This eMedTV article discusses the three most commonly used antibiotics and explains what happened to people prior to their development.

• Prevention of Leprosy

Currently, no vaccine is available for the prevention of leprosy. However, as this eMedTV page explains, researchers are actively looking for one. Until then, annual exams can help prevent the spread of disease, especially to household contacts.

• Leprosy Statistics

This eMedTV article offers a variety of leprosy statistics, both worldwide and in the United States. For example, there are approximately 6,500 U.S. cases of leprosy, and the disease is more common in tropical areas, like South America.