SOME OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES ::
LEPROSY ::
It is regarded as one of the oldest disease known to mankind it is a chronic infections granulomatus disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae it is more common in Africa and indian subcontinent various steps are being taken to eradicate this disease Leucoderma (vitiligo) a non infective disease of depigmentation of skin is different from leprosy
Leprosy develops in two forms :: (1) Non -lepromatous which is anaesthetic type which is non infective and (2) Lepromatous which is nodular type and infective Bacteria enter through skin in the first stage patient s skin sensation become dull and small patches of anaesthesia develop bacteria multiply in the second stage skin becomes thick and wrinkled Ears get swollen Nodules are formed on the skin of nose and throat These nodules discharge fluid which is highly infectious in the third stage the bacteria burst out of the nerve cells and enter peripheral tissues and begin to proliferate there This results in deformities in hands feet and toes it is a disease which progresses very slowly if untreated it leaves the patient finally crippled
Leprosy is not a heriditary disease Although it occurs in poor or low socio-economic group of people it may occur in any class of family The disease spreads through direct (skin to skin ) contact or through flies which carry the fluid discharged through nodules identification of the leprosy patients and their isolation and treatment are the major steps to prevent the spread of the disease
Treatment ::
Multiple drug therapy (MDT) is now available to treat leprosy in short duration of time Commonly used drugs are dapsone clofazimine and rifampicin
Vaccine effective against leprosy is not presently under use Recently a leprosy vaccine has been developed by scientists from Britain Norway u.s. and Venezeula This has undergone trial by WHO supported programme The vaccine was made from bacteria grown in the bodies of armadello According to WHO this vaccine may arrest the disease in those suffering from it and also protect the population at risk Encouraged by the results of these trials WHO is hopeful that leprosy could be eradicated from the world within a decade
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