How is leprosy cured

They work by killing the bacteria that cause leprosy. While antibiotics can kill the bacteria, they cannot reverse damage caused by the bacteria. Prolonged, close contact with someone with untreated leprosy over many months is needed to catch the disease.

In approaching Jesus, the man was in violation of Levitical law. For general health reasons, avoid contact with armadillos whenever possible. Your doctor will follow up with you over time and perform periodic skin examinations to see if you develop the disease. In the U. In the southern United States, some armadillos are naturally infected with the bacteria that cause Hansen's disease. You may be at risk for the disease if you live in a country where the disease is widespread.

Scientists have learned that to catch leprosy, a healthy person must have months of close contact with someone who has leprosy. When a healthy person repeatedly breathes in the infected droplets, this may spread the disease. It takes a lot of exposure to catch leprosy.

You can also get leprosy from an armadillo. Lived in a country where leprosy is more common, such as India, Brazil, China, Indonesia, or parts of Africa. The bacteria that cause leprosy reproduce very slowly. You may notice the first signs in three to four years, but it can take 20 years or longer for signs to appear. Without treatment, the bacteria that cause leprosy can continue to reproduce.

In time, they can damage nerves and other parts of your body. If this happens, you may notice one or more of the following:. Eye problems, such as difficulty blinking, which may lead to dry eyes, eye sores, and eventually blindness. While antibiotics can kill the bacteria, they cannot reverse damage caused by the bacteria.

Antibiotics cannot reverse the damage done to the body. If it looks like you may have leprosy, a board-certified dermatologist will ask questions to find out if you have any risk factors.

However, if leprosy is left untreated it can cause severe problems with the limbs hands and feet , eyes, skin, and nerves. Take care not to spread the disease to others. It can spread to others by air, such as when you sneeze or cough. Have your doctor determine the form of leprosy you have. Sometimes leprosy manifests only as a skin lesions, and sometimes it takes more severe forms. The particular treatment plan you follow will depend on the form of leprosy you have.

Your doctor can diagnose this. Leprosy can be diagnosed as paucibacillary or multibacillary which is more severe. A case of leprosy is also classified as either tuberculoid or lepromatous more severe, causing large lumps and nodules on the skin. Take a multiple drug treatment MDT provided by your doctor. A number of antibiotics usually a combination of dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine are prescribed to treat leprosy.

These drugs kill the bacteria that causes the disease Mycobacterium leprae and cure people infected by it. Once you start taking the medications, you can no longer spread the disease to others. If leprosy only manifests as a single skin lesion, the patient may be able to treat it with just a single dose of dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine.

Drug resistance to these medications is rare. Side effects of these drugs are generally mild. Talk to your physician if you have questions. Part 2. Take your antibiotics. Continue to take the antibiotics your doctor prescribes you, according to the directions you have been given. If you do not take the antibiotics as directed, you could become sick again. Monitor your progress for any side effects or complications. If you notice changes in your condition, experience pain, etc.

In particular, leprosy patients are susceptible to certain complications: [14] X Research source Neuritis, silent neuropathies nerve damage without pain , pain, burning, tingling, and sudden numbness may occur. This can be treated with corticosteroids. If left untreated, it can cause permanent injury and loss of function. Iridocyclitis, or inflammation of the iris of the eye can also occur. If does, you will need to see an eye specialist right away.

It can be treated with special drops, but permanent damage can result if it is left untreated. Orchitis, or inflammation of a testis can also occur.