Leprosy

Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a chronic infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. It results in damage primarily to the peripheral nerves (the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord), skin, testes, eyes, and mucous membrane of the nose.

• Leprosy ranges from mild (with one or a few skin areas affected) to severe (with many skin areas affected and damage to many organs).
• Rashes and bumps appear, the affected areas become numb, and muscles may become weak.
• The diagnosis is suggested by symptoms and confirmed by a biopsy of the affected tissue.
• Antibiotics can stop leprosy from progressing but cannot reverse any nerve damage or deformity. 
  Classification: Leprosy can be categorized by the type and number of skin areas affected. Those with 5 or fewer affected skin areas have leprosy that is called paucibacillary. People should have no bacteria detectable on samples from those areas. Those with 6 or more affected areas have leprosy that is called multibacillary. People may or may not have bacteria detected on samples from those areas.