Ask a 'Leprosy Specialist' Online

Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. It can occur at any age and affects the skin, peripheral nerves, eyes, and upper respiratory tract. The exact mode of transmission is still not known, but it is hypothesized to be transmitted by contact with an infected person or through respiratory route or through insects. The signs and symptoms include inflammatory nodules in the skin and peripheral nerves, skin lesions, thickened nerve, loss of sensation, numbness, joint pains, blisters, weight loss, hair loss, loss of digits, disfigurement of the face, etc. Depending on if the bacteria are seen in the skin smear test, the two types of leprosy are:

1. Paucibacillary leprosy (PB) – Negative skin smear.
2. Multibacillary leprosy (MB) – Positive skin smear.

Antibiotics like Dapsone, Rifampicin, and Clofazimine are used in its treatment.