Leprosy symptoms vary depending on how far the disease has progressed.
(4) Fortunately, more than 95 percent of people around the world are naturally immune toM.
leprae,making leprosy a rare disease.
Having light or dark spots on the back, arms, or legs is a common symptom of leprosy.
Physicians in the United States are likely unfamiliar with leprosy symptoms.
Those with MB leprosy tend to have six or more affected skin areas.
Multibacillary leprosy encompasses mid-borderline, borderline lepromatous, and lepromatous leprosy.
(1,5,8)
Prognosis of Leprosy
With oral antibiotics and prompt treatment, leprosy is curable.
In fact, most individuals diagnosed with leprosy in the United States have little or no disability upon diagnosis.
Unfortunately, if nerve damage occurred years prior to diagnosis, recovery isnt possible and disabilities become permanent.
That said, nerve damage or physical disfiguration that occurs as a result of leprosy cannot be reversed.
After just a few doses which are generally given at home individuals become noninfectious.
(1)
Side effects of MDT are generally mild and temporary and serious side effects are rare.
(8) Transmission of the disease from mother to child during pregnancy has been reported.
(9)
Its also possible to contract leprosy through contact with an infected armadillo.
lepraelingering in the system.
(It can take years for the body to completely rid itself of all the dead bacteria.)
Some people experience these reactions before multidrug therapy has even started.
In those cases, the body is reacting to bacteria that its own immune system has killed.
(9)
Research and Statistics: Who Has Leprosy?
(23)
Leprosy has been reported among individuals from every state.
(17)
Since the 1990s, roughly 175 new leprosy cases are reported annually in the United States.
Leprosy is more prevalent in Southeast Asian immigrants living in Toronto, as well.
Still, theres currently no research to show why this ethnic group is more susceptible to MB.
She is board-certified in both internal medicine and infectious diseases.
She also teaches medical trainees and lectures medical students at the Emory University School of Medicine.
Holly Pevzner is a writer who specializes in health, nutrition, parenting, and pregnancy.
She is currently a staff writer at Happiest Baby.
Pevzner has written several monthly health columns, including forFirst for WomenandPreventionmagazines.
She previously held senior staff positions atPrevention,Fitness, andSelfmagazines, covering medical health and psychology.
She was also a contributing editor at Scholastic’sParent & Childmagazine.
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