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.
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.
Leprosy is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. This selection from the eMedTV Web library provides an overview of the bacteria, including history, possible transmission methods, recent statistics, and more.
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.
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.
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.
This article from the eMedTV library explains various forms leprosy treatment, which generally involves medicines combined with supportive care. Supportive care refers to managing symptoms and complications associated with the disease.
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.
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.
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.
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.
