WHAT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT LEPROSY

We the students of the department of microbiology university of uyo, and those offering pathogenic bacteriology {mcb314} went on an excursion to Qua iboe church leprosy hospital Ekpene Ebom, Etinan local government area, Akwa ibom State.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Qua iboe church leprosy hospital was founded in 1932

And at that time leprosy was seen as a taboo. The hospital was set up at first by a woman named Esther Davies,( an irish woman). It was run as a colony but later changed into a hospital. When we got to the hospital we were received by the medical superintendent Dr Affia Arichibong Affiah , who took us on a tour round the facility. such places which we visited were, control unit ,limb section ,eye clinic, primary school , maternity and the laboratory. he futher went on having a brief lecture with us about leprosy.

ABOUT LEPROSY

Leprosy is one of the oldest disease known to man. most people do say it is cause by evil spirit, or it is a punishment from God, or it is caused by cockroach. But to science who have known that it is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. it is a slowly progressive disease that affects the skin, mucous membrane and the nerves.
Vector of leprosy is Amydillo mammals.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

it is an airborne disease. Incubation period is an average of 5 to 21 years. it cannot be transmitted through kissing, sitting together and sharing of utensils and through the placenta. Leprosy is totally curable

SIGNS OF LEPROSY

A light patch on the skin lighter than normal skin colour is the earliest sign of leprosy. Loss of sensitivity on such patches indicates leprosy, thereafter it affects the nerves and mucous membrane

TREATMENT

A patient with leprosy that has undergone treatment can never affect a healthy person once he/she has taken medication.
To test for leprosy samples are taken from the ear lobe of the patient i.e. a cut. Make a smear of the sample and test for acid fast bacilli.

PROBLEMS FACED BY LEPERS

Stigmatization
Economic problem
Social problems

We went further in donating some gifts. it was a very educative and interesting event.


with @lifewithtee and @abbykomz

images were sourced from google.