Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) - Medtick
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Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)

What is it?

An infectious disease characterised by disfiguring skin lesions, peripheral nerve damage, and progressive debilitation.

  • Leprosy is common in many countries in the world, and in temperate, tropical, and subtropical climates.
  • Most cases are limited to:
    • South America
    • California
    • Hawaii
    • U.S. island possessions

Countries affected are:

North America

  • Mexico

Cause

  • Bacteria:
    • Mycobacterium leprae.
    • Treponema bacteria
    • Some wild domestic animals such as armadillos, cattle, pigs, dogs, racoons and rodents pass this disease via their urine.
      • Beware of soil  or water contaminated with infected urine.

Symptoms

  • New rash that has appeared or existing rash getting worst (Skin lesions that have decreased sensation to touch, heat, or pain and are lighter than your normal skin colour)?
  • Skin lesions that do not heal after several weeks to months?
  • Numbness or absent sensation in the hands and arms, or feet and legs?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?

Nail changes:

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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