Leprosy is a chronic infectious ailment that particularly affects the peripheral nerves, skin, upper respiratory tract, eyes, and nasal mucosa (lining of the nostril). The disorder is because of a bacillus (rod-formed) bacterium referred to as Mycobacterium leprae.
Leprosy is a slowly developing, current disease that damages the skin and nervous system. It occurs as a result of an infection with Mycobacterium leprae or M. Lepromatosis microorganism.
Early signs and symptoms start in cooler regions of the body and consist of loss of sensation.
Signs of leprosy are painless ulcers, and skin lesions of hypopigmented macules (flat, faded regions of skin), and eye problems (dryness, decreased blinking). Later, massive ulcerations, loss of digits, and skin nodules, and facial disfigurement may additionally develop.
The infection can spread from person to person through nasal secretions or droplets. Susceptibility to getting leprosy can be due to human genes. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of leprosy.
