Can leprosy spread through direct contact?

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Leprosy is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. This organism is similar to TB (tuberculosis) bacteria and so their treatment is also similar and they run for months together. But treatment and drugs are not the same. It causes lesions on the skin, mucus membrane, eyes, nerves, and tissues. Untreated lesions spread inside and it affects the nerves causing swelling and loss of sensation. Slowly it affects the extremities and so you can see loss of digits and toes in untreated patients. You can also see people with saddle nose deformity too. Transmission of leprosy occurs after prolonged contact with untreated leprosy patients over months. It does not spread easily and quickly. It is not spread from the ground or soil. You do not get this infection by touching objects touched by the infected persons or by hugging the infected patients. There is minimal risk of contracting a disease from the patients outside.

Avoid prolonged contact with infected patients. Wear a mask while going outside due to our current situation. Recently, there is some evidence suggesting that the disease may spread by droplets, like sneezing or coughs, or bodily fluids. It is best to avoid having close personal contact with a patient and wear a mask to prevent droplet infection. This condition is treated by taking multidrug therapy and taking adequate therapy helps to cure the disease.