Difference between revisions of "Leprosy"
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Leprosy is one of the world's oldest diseases, tracing back to the ancient civilizations of [[China]], [[Egypt]] and [[India]]. Leprosy was also rampant during the 13th century in [[Europe]]. Historically, it is one of the most stigmatized diseases with a reputation of being highly contagious, disfiguring and incurable. In the past leprosy sufferers were banished to ''[[leper colony|leper colonies]]''. Unfortunately, this practice still exists is some countries today, even though leprosy is now curable and is not considered highly contagious. | Leprosy is one of the world's oldest diseases, tracing back to the ancient civilizations of [[China]], [[Egypt]] and [[India]]. Leprosy was also rampant during the 13th century in [[Europe]]. Historically, it is one of the most stigmatized diseases with a reputation of being highly contagious, disfiguring and incurable. In the past leprosy sufferers were banished to ''[[leper colony|leper colonies]]''. Unfortunately, this practice still exists is some countries today, even though leprosy is now curable and is not considered highly contagious. | ||
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| + | Worldwide there are 290,000 leprosy cases being treated as of January 2005, 75 percent arising in nine countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, according to the World Health Organization.<ref>"Doctor says he treated woman with leprosy," The Macon Telegraph (Georgia), June 7, 2007.</ref> Illegal immigration, which does not screen for disease, is significant to the [[United States]] from some of those nations. | ||
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| + | == References == | ||
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| + | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 19:41, June 11, 2007
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by an infestation of the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. It is also known as Hansen's disease, named after its creator Gerhard Hansen. Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. It can affect all ages and both sexes. Incubation can last anywhere between three months and 40 years, with the average incubation period lasting three to five years. Leprosy is transmitted from one untreated person to another via the respiratory tract or skin. Leprosy is curable and if detected early and treated with a prescribed duration of drug therapy, leprosy will not cause any permanent disability.
Leprosy is one of the world's oldest diseases, tracing back to the ancient civilizations of China, Egypt and India. Leprosy was also rampant during the 13th century in Europe. Historically, it is one of the most stigmatized diseases with a reputation of being highly contagious, disfiguring and incurable. In the past leprosy sufferers were banished to leper colonies. Unfortunately, this practice still exists is some countries today, even though leprosy is now curable and is not considered highly contagious.
Worldwide there are 290,000 leprosy cases being treated as of January 2005, 75 percent arising in nine countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, according to the World Health Organization.[1] Illegal immigration, which does not screen for disease, is significant to the United States from some of those nations.
References
- ↑ "Doctor says he treated woman with leprosy," The Macon Telegraph (Georgia), June 7, 2007.