Leprosy, Let's End Stigma and Discrimination against Sufferers

Leprosy is still a concern throughout the world because it is still among us and has not been declared free, especially Indonesia is in the third position of the country with the most cases of leprosy in the world after India and Brazil. But do you know what leprosy is? Leprosy or sometimes also known as morbus hansen or leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and attacks the skin, peripheral nerves and other organs.

Transmission:

• It can occur through close skin contact and will be more risky if the sufferer has not undergone treatment
• It is also transmitted through the respiratory tract, such as splashes of saliva or phlegm that are exposed continuously for a long time
• The bacterial transmission process is not easy to infect other people because it takes a long time

However, Hermina's friends need to be aware, there are several factors that contribute to a person contracting leprosy, namely the number or virulence of leprosy bacteria, a person's immune system, age, gender, race, social and environmental awareness. If left untreated, leprosy itself can cause damage to the skin and peripheral nervous system, eyes and other body organs.

The following are the symptoms of leprosy that are often found:

• Patches of numb skin
• Peripheral nerve thickening
• Acid-resistant germs were found

The symptoms of leprosy cannot be cured just by using ordinary skin medicine and these symptoms are sometimes not recognized by the sufferer and are sometimes thought to be just an ordinary injury or wound, even though this can get worse over time, causing disability. It is important to remember that leprosy, if it can be recognized immediately and carried out therapy early, has the potential to be cured, therefore compliance with treatment such as taking regular medication every day and nutritional intake.

The following 3M behaviors must be implemented to prevent further defects:

• Check eyes, hands and feet
• Protects eyes, hands and feet
• Take care of yourself

If this happens to us or people around us, we need to remember not to be ostracized because the stigma in society about leprosy will disrupt the sufferer's quality of life. So it is very important for us to raise awareness of leprosy and end the stigma and discrimination against people with leprosy.