INDONESIA RANKS 3RD IN LEPROSY CASES, LET'S RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS AND PREVENT LEPROSY!

Leprosy

We may often hear the word leprosy but still don't know what this disease is? Most people only know that this disease can cause disability. So there are still many people who stigmatize and discriminate against leprosy patients.

Leprosy is a chronic infection of the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae that affects the nervous system, skin, other organ systems such as the oral mucosa, upper respiratory (nose), eyes and genitals. The disease is contagious but requires prolonged exposure to leprosy germs. The disease will cause symptoms 2-5 years after infection.

Indonesia is still the third country with the highest leprosy cases, so it is very important for us to know the right information and eliminate the wrong stigma of leprosy. A report from the Ministry of Health in January 2022 found 7,146 new leprosy patients, 14% of children.
Leprosy can be cured with a combination of 2-3 antibiotics, given daily for 1-2 years. The symptoms of leprosy can resemble other skin disorders (often called great imitators) so it is often not detected at first.
The disease can lead to disabilities in appearance and physique which in turn leads to impaired socialization and discrimination. So it is very important to do early detection to prevent permanent disability.

What are the symptoms of leprosy:

1. White or reddish, flat or raised patches that do not itch
2. Skin does not sweat
3. Numbness or numbness (touch, temperature and pain stimulation)
4. Dry and thick skin
5. Eyebrow or eyelash loss
6. Nerve symptoms:
   Hand and leg muscle weakness
   Visual impairment

Mode of transmission: close and prolonged contact with leprosy patients through the respiratory tract (droplets) or skin-to-skin contact.

To confirm a patient has leprosy, the doctor will perform laboratory tests such as:

1. skin tissue scrapings with Ziehl Nielsen staining
2. histopathologic biopsy examination as well as serologic examination (PGL-1) or PCR

Leprosy treatment lasts for 6 months to 2 years depending on the type of leprosy. In Indonesia, the Multiple Drug Therapy (MDT) method consists of rifampicin 300mg, dapsone 100mg and clofazimine 100mg. Currently, WHO and the government have provided leprosy treatment regimens for free. The drugs can be found at health centers or leprosy hospitals.

Things that can be done to prevent leprosy transmission are:

1. keep your immune system in tip-top shape
2. maintain a clean and healthy environment
3. recognize the symptoms of leprosy early
4. advises leprosy patients to seek treatment regularly until they recover.
5. avoid contact with someone infected with leprosy remains untreated

Cooperation between patients-doctors and health workers-patients' families-government-community is essential for the elimination and eradication of leprosy in Indonesia.
So that there is no longer a bad stigma against leprosy that can cause patients to be ostracized and afraid to seek treatment.
With proper treatment, leprosy can be cured.