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When you mention the word Leprosy, most people think of a disease that was only in Jesus' day. We remember the story of how Jesus healed the Lepers, and how they had been banned to live in caves. We thought how horrible, they were depicted as monsters. Can there be such a thing that is so awful? Surely, that was hundreds of years ago. Not necessarily. Is it still around today? The answer is yes!
Although Leprosy is not common, there are still reported cases today. Leprosy is also called Hansen's disease. There are reported cases in Lousisiana, New York, Hawaii, California, and Texas and Florida, although the people who have it were not born in the United States.
Leprosy is much less contagious than once believed. It has to be contracted from direct contact or from inhaling the droplets coughed or sneezed by an infected person. Leprosy is caused by a bacteria.
Symptoms of Leprosy include:
loss of feeling, numbness
sores on the skin
reduced ability to sweat
Leprosy causes multiple gross sores all over the body. They are deep and there is extensive scarring. The nerves are affected and there is nerve damage. It begins with tingling and numbness, then paralysis. Leprosy can invade the skin, the nerves, the bones, the eyeballs, and cartilage. This awful disease leads to blindness and disfigurement, if not treated.
Leprosy is treatable to a certain extent. There is no cure for leprosy. There are many medications that can halt leprosy and keep in under control. It may be necessary to take them for a lifetime. Sometimes, in extreme cases, plastic surgery can be done to correct disfigurements and there have been cases of nerve and tendon transplants to restore use of arms and legs.
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