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Hansen's Disease (Leprosy)
What is Hansen's Disease ?
Hansen's Disease is a chronic bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily involves the skin and peripheral nerves, and in some cases, other organs such as the eyes, testicles and bone can become involved.
Who gets Hansen's Disease ?
People at risk of developing Hansen's Disease include close contacts of patients with untreated, active disease and persons living in countries where the disease occurs regularly.
How is Hansen's Disease spread?
Although the mode of transmission of Hansen's Disease remains uncertain, most investigators think that M. leprae is usually spread from person to person in respiratory droplets.
Where is Hansen's Disease found?
Most cases come from 55 countries where the disease occurs regularly. In 1998, the World Health Organization listed the countries reporting the most cases as Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Myanmar (Burma) and Nigeria. About 300 new cases per year occur in the U.S.
What are the symptoms of Hansen's Disease?
Hansen's disease can cause a wide variety of skin abnormalities, including spots or areas which are thicker than normal and have lighter skin color than normal. These spots may have increased, lessened or missing touch and/or temperature sensation. Hansen's disease can also involve the interior nasal surfaces , causing nasal congestion and nosebleeds. Long-term complications may include loss of digits, facial changes and secondary infection.
How soon do symptoms develop?
Symptoms may take nine months to twenty years to develop.
How is Hansen's Disease diagnosed?
The diagnosis requires the demonstration of M. leprae in a skin biopsy.
What is the treatment for Hansen's Disease?
Combination, multidrug therapy is available for treatment of all types of Hansen's disease. Treatment usually lasts 2 to 3 years.
How long is an infected person infectious to others?
Patients with Hansen's Disease become non-infectious shortly after beginning appropriate antibiotic treatment.
Should an infected person be excluded from work or school?
Because patients with Hansen's Disease become non-infectious shortly after beginning appropriate antibiotic treatment, there is no need to isolate them from others. They can generally continue their normal work and other activities uninterrupted while they are taking their treatment which may require several years.
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