Leprosy, a disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, was discovered in 1873. It progresses slowly and it may take years for symptoms to appear. Although it is treatable, lack of awareness and stigma surrounding the disease often deter sufferers from seeking treatment. Additionally, inadequate access to basic medical care compounds the problem. according to World Health Organization, 2019 reported 200,000 cases of leprosy globally.
World Leprosy Day is observed annually on the last Sunday of January and the theme for 2023 is Act Now. Leprosy ended. The day aims to raise awareness and dispel myths about the disease, which is preventable and treatable. The goal is to convey the message that leprosy transmission can be prevented. Despite the disease being known for at least 4,000 years, many misconceptions about it still exist.
Dr. Rohit Batra, Dermatologist and Dermatologist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Chairman, IADVL New Delhi, says, ,Since, the disease is surrounded by stigma and the society discriminates against the infected people. As a result the emotional health of patients and their family members is also affected. This leads the person to live with low self-esteem, depression, low quality of life which gives a lot of mental distress to the patients.
Therefore, it is very important to understand and spread awareness about leprosy so that people suffering from it can come forward for treatment and lead a normal life.
Dr. Sumit Gupta, Hon. Secretary, Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL), Delhi explains, “The only way to completely eliminate the disease is to identify, trace and treat each and every single case. Early intervention not only prevents leprosy-related complications, but also prevents transmission of the disease because after 72 hours of multi-drug therapy treatment (MDT), patients are no longer infectious. It has been proven that leprosy can be effectively prevented with early diagnosis and treatment.”
Dr Batra and Dr Gupta debunk some of the myths and facts about leprosy that you should know:
Myth 1: leprosy has been eradicated
Fact: This disease continues to affect the population of the world. The misconception that it doesn’t exist has prevented people suffering from it from coming forward and getting it treated.
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Myth 2: leprosy cannot be cured
Fact: Leprosy is cured. Multidrug therapy is used to treat this disease. Stronger antibiotics can potentially kill the bacteria and prevent the occurrence of the symptoms associated with it.
Myth 3: leprosy is an old people’s disease
Fact: Leprosy is an age related disease. Due to the long incubation period of the bacteria, there is a delay in the visibility of signs and symptoms. Thus, it is believed that this disease is for older people, but this is not true. Even children and elders also fall prey to this disease.
Myth 4: Leprosy is highly contagious.
Fact: The communicable potential of the disease is difficult. More than 90% of adults have an immune system that can prevent them from contracting the disease. Also, for 72 hours after taking MDT, the disease is no longer contagious at all.
Myth 5: People infected with leprosy should be kept in isolation.
Fact: No need for solitude. One can lead a normal life with one’s family; All they need is proper treatment.
Myth 6: Fingers and toes crackle in leprosy.
Fact: Do not think so. The bacteria infect the nerves of the fingers and toes, causing them to become numb. The sensation of pain is lost, and tissue loss and infection occur. When wound healing fails and repeated injury to the numb area leads to tissue loss, which can also lead to amputation. But, this will not happen with timely treatment.
Myth 7: leprosy is a disease sent by god
Fact: it is a bacterial disease mycobacterium lepraeCharacterized by muscle weakness, skin lesions, and numbness in the upper and lower extremities.
Myth 8: Leprosy only affects the poor
Fact: It only affects people with weakened immune systems. The disease tends to spread in poorer areas due to malnutrition and poor sanitation but it depends on the person’s immune system.
Getting the right treatment, breaking the stigma around it and stopping discrimination against people infected with leprosy will help people with leprosy to come forward and seek treatment instead of hiding their symptoms.
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