Recognize Leprosy

When you hear the word LEPROSY, what kind of image comes to the mind of Hermina's best friend? An incurable curse disease with deformed face and limbs? or a disease that is so contagious that sufferers and their families must be shunned and even ostracized?

Leprosy is one of the oldest infectious diseases in the history of human civilization. Leprosy has been proven to be curable, and the establishment of MDT (multi drug treatment) by WHO in the treatment of leprosy in 1982 proved successful in reducing the spread of infection and transmission. Nevertheless, the discovery of new cases is still high in some regions in Indonesia and Indonesia is still the third largest contributor of leprosy cases in the world after India and Brazil, with the discovery of 7,146 new cases in 2021. Efforts to eliminate leprosy face many obstacles in the field, including myths and stigma in society and discrimination against sufferers and their families. Coinciding with the commemoration of world leprosy day on January 29, it is time for us to avoid the stigmatization and discrimination of leprosy with a better understanding of leprosy, early detection, prevention and treatment so that the leprosy elimination program in Indonesia can be achieved immediately.

Leprosy is caused by infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae which attacks the skin and peripheral nerves with long-term consequences without treatment in the form of disability and deformity. The process of division of the M. leprae bacteria occurs very slowly compared to other germs, so the transmission process requires prolonged and continuous contact, and tends not to be easily transmitted through brief contact such as shaking hands. The process of transmission of leprosy is believed to occur through inhalation of droplets contaminated with germs. However, the infection process is strongly influenced by the individual's immune response based on findings that more than 95% of individuals exposed to M.leprae do not develop leprosy. Leprosy patients who are not treated will become a source of infection for close contacts and family. So that diagnosis and treatment at an early stage is an important key in the leprosy eradication program.

Early infection of leprosy is characterized by reddish or white patches with thick or numb feeling to numbness, without complaints of itching or pain. And can be accompanied by additional symptoms that are typical for leprosy, such as eyebrows and protrusions on the skin, especially the ears. In advanced leprosy infection, the initial symptoms may be accompanied by disorders of the peripheral nerves in the form of weakness to paralysis of the peripheral nerves in the form of complaints on the eyelids such as the inability to close the eyelids tightly, weakness of the muscles of the hands and feet, to disability in the hands and feet. Treatment of patients in the early phase of leprosy plays a very important role in suppressing the risk of transmission of leprosy to family or other close contacts and in preventing the risk of disability due to delayed treatment.

Examination by a doctor is needed to confirm the diagnosis of leprosy. Diagnosis can be made on the basis of history and physical examination. However, in patients with atypical symptoms the doctor will examine smears from skin scrapings to examine tissue biopsies to make a diagnosis.

The standard treatment for leprosy from Who is using Multi Drug Treatment ( MDT). MDT can be obtained free of charge and distributed by the health office through the PUSKESMAS Health service. The duration of leprosy treatment depends on the type of leprosy, varies from 6 months to 12 to 18 months. During treatment the patient must be controlled regularly to monitor effectiveness and possible side effects and possible reactions, and ensure complete recovery when treatment is finished.