Anand Gram


1926-1999

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What is Leprosy

Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a chronic infections, contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.

It affects mainly the peripheral nerves.

It also affects the skin, the muscles, eyebrows, eyes, bones, testes and internal organs. The disease manifests in two Polar forms, namely - Lepromatous Leprosy affecting the skin and multiple organs (multibacillary) tuberculoid leprosy - affecting mainly the nerves (paucibacillary)

Clinically the disease characterized by one or more of the following cardinal features:-

  1. Hypo pigmented patches.

  2.  Partial or total loss of coetaneous sensation in the affected areas (the earlier sensation to be affected is usually thermal) hot, cold or pain.

  3.  Presence of thickened nerves.

  4.  Presence of acid fast bacilli in the skin or nasal smears. Signs of chronic disease are striking (which we mostly come across)

  • Presence of nodules or lumps in the skin of the face and ears.

  • Plantar ulcers.

  • Loss of fingers or loss of toes.

  • Nasal depression

  • Foot Drop

  • Claw toes.

  • Maderosis

It is a communicable disease with a social stigma.

Modern day Leprosy dates from 1873 when Hansen of Norway discovered M.Leprae.

For long years there was no effective treatment for leprosy. Introduction of Sulphone Drugs in treatment of Leprosy in 1943 marked the beginning of a new era - the era of case finding and domiciliary treatment.

Recent years have witnessed a change in the strategy of Leprosy control from dapsone monotherapy to multi drug therapy due to widespread emergence of resistance

Leprosy is major health problem in our country.

Estimated number of cases in our country is approximately four million with an average prevalence rate of 5.7/1000 population.

The disease in communicable but curable.

It spreads through contact and droplet infection of the tract secretions.

We here at Anand Gram Society strive not only to cure the disease but mentally, socially and physically rehabilitate the patients so that he can go back with self dignity and take his or her useful place in society.

 

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