Leprosy (Hansen's disease) facts

Leprosy is a slowly developing,
progressive disease that damages the skin
and nervous system.

Leprosy is caused by an infection with
Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepromatosis
bacteria.

Early symptoms begin in cooler areas of
the body and include loss of sensation.

Signs of leprosy are painless ulcers, skin
lesions of hypopigmented macules (flat,
pale areas of skin), and eye damage
(dryness, reduced blinking). Later, large
ulcerations, loss of digits, skin nodules, and
facial disfigurement may develop.

The infection is thought to be spread
person to person by nasal secretions or
droplets. Leprosy is rarely transmitted from
chimpanzees, mangabey monkeys, and nine-
banded armadillos to humans by droplets or
direct contact.

Susceptibility to getting leprosy may be
due to certain human genes.

Antibiotics are used in the treatment of
leprosy.

Leprosy is curable and treatment in the
early stages can prevent disability. It can
cause circulatory failure and can also attack
internal organs. If the disease is not treated
with antibiotics, it can be fatal. Medical
treatment stops the disease and removes
the infection, but it does not repair the
damage.