Prevention of Leprosy

While there is no vaccine available for the prevention of leprosy, scientists investigating the disease hope to develop one. Leprosy can be cured with medicines; therefore, an early diagnosis may reduce associated symptoms and complications. Given this fact, while prevention of leprosy is not always possible, especially where the disease is endemic, control should be possible.

Leprosy Disease

Prevention of Leprosy: An Overview

Because leprosy can be cured with medicines, an early diagnosis will often reduce leprosy symptoms and complications. Therefore, while prevention of leprosy is not always possible, especially where leprosy is endemic, control should be possible.

Prevention of Leprosy for Household Contacts

For prevention of leprosy, people who live in the same household as a person with leprosy (household contacts) will need to be examined by a physician. These examinations should be repeated annually for five years. It is important to note that the degree of natural immunity is high, and there is often no need for preventative medicine. However, if you are a household contact and you develop a questionable skin rash, you should have a skin biopsy to determine whether or not leprosy is present.

Tests and Vaccines for the Prevention of Leprosy

Although there is currently no vaccine available for the prevention of leprosy, researchers are actively working on developing one.