The main aim of the SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign 2022 ( SLAC ) is to Reduce the misconceptions that have spread among people about leprosy. We told the People that leprosy is not a result of bad deeds in previous births, and leprosy is not caused by shaking hands, eating together, living together. people are told about the general symptoms of leprosy. People are told that leprosy is a disease like other diseases and its treatment is completely possible with MDT Which is completely free and available at every government hospital.
Definition of Leprosy |SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign 2022 :
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by slow-growing microorganisms termed Mycobacterium leprae (M.leprae) an impervious, rod-shaped true bacteria. infectious disease chiefly affects the skin, peripheral nerves, eyes, and lining of the nose (nasal mucosa). The condition can be cured with early detection and treatment. Leprosy is treatable, and early treatment can help prevent disability. Leprosy can be completely cured with MDT.
The incubation period of leprosy:
The symptoms of the disease occurs generally after a long period of getting the infection.
On average, the incubation period of leprosy is 5 years but symptoms may occur within 1 year. It can also take as long as 20 years or even more to occur, as M.leprae multiplies very slowly.
Classification of Leprosy:
1. PB.(paucibacillary):
Up to five hypopigmented anesthetic patches or involvement of one nerve.
2..MB(Multibacilary)—
MORE THAN FIVE hypopigmented anesthetic patches on skin, nodules, or involvement of 2or more nerves.
Cause of Leprosy :
LOW IMMUNE SYSTEM IS THE MAIN REASON TO A PERSON INFECTED WITH M.LAPRAE because due to low immunity bacteria can survive in the human body and damage the body.
Who discovered mycobacterium leprae? | Why was leprosy changed Hansen’s disease:
Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen discovered Mycobacterium leprae, a slow-growing microbe, as the cause of the disease in 1873. Under the microscope, he saw the leprosy bacillus and showed that leprosy was an infectious disease, not a curse. The condition is sometimes known as Hansen’s disease in honor of this outstanding researcher.
Mode of infection|How does leprosy spread:
An untreated leprosy-affected person can only be the source of the transmission of bacteria.
When an untreated leprosy-affected person coughs or sneezes then M.leprae comes out with his droplets and enters in healthy person through the respiratory system. If this person has low immunity then the bacteria migrate to the skin and there they start multiplying and damaging the skin and in a later stage may cause permanent disability (if not treated early).
Sign and Symptoms of Leprosy ( Hansens Disease ) :
There are 3 cardinal signs of Leprosy:
1. Patch with definite loss of sensation
2. tenderness of nerve.
3. presence of mycobacterium laprae in a skin smear test.
Note: If there is a presence of Mycobacterium laprae in skin smear and there is no evidence of physical signs like Anaesthetic patch and Tenderness of nerve even then we will start the treatment. We won’t wait for physical signs to appear.
Leprosy affected person can be shown following signs and symptoms:
- Hypopigmented patch with definite loss of sensation: When bacteria enter the skin then the bacteria start eating pigment cells to service, as a result, the hypopigmented patch develops. after eating pigment cells of that area they start eating sensory nerves of that area resulting in sensory loss of that area.
- painful nerves: When bacteria ate the sensory nerves and if a person is not treated yet then the bacteria migrate to motor nerves and starts eating the Shawn cells of nerves resulting in the tenderness of nerve (painful nerves).
- In a later stage, bacteria damage the nerve resulting in weakness of the affected part. if not treated then the bacteria completely damage the nerves and then resulting incomplete paralysis of the affected part.
- Nodules in ear lobes
- Swelling and lumps in the face
- Painful wounds or burns in the hand and feet.
The stigma in leprosy | History of Leprosy:
The major drawback of leprosy is there were a lot of stigmas spread among the people regarding leprosy. people thought that leprosy (Hansen’s disease) was interpreted as a curse of the gods or the punishment of sin. Initially, there was no treatment for leprosy. Any man who had leprosy would become handicapped and eventually die with this disease. People hated those who had leprosy and threw them out of the house. Because of this, people who got leprosy had to live in leprosy colonies under compulsion. In a way, they were socially boycotted. People used to think that leprosy would spread even by touching it. Leprosy spread by touch. (It is a social stigma)
Along with time, education, and due to the awareness campaigns, the stigma has reduced significantly among the people and people started to understand that Leprosy is neither the result of bad deeds nor is it a disease which spread by touching, it is just a disease like other diseases and its treatment is completely possible and now people are suffering from leprosy to their family members, keeping them in their essence and not discriminating against them.
SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign ( SLAC ) :
To reduce stigma among people the Government of India launched Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign ( SLAC ) on 30th January 2017, which is ANTI LEPROSY DAY, ( on the occasion of the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death ) This is also celebrated as a world leprosy day worldwide.SLAC was conducted as an annual activity during the fortnight from 30th to 13th February to create awareness about Leprosy.
The objectives of SLAC are to create mass awareness in the community on leprosy to reduce stigma and discrimination in the community and for early detection of leprosy cases. This campaign plays a very important role in the early detection of Leprosy cases and the prevention of disability.
In this campaign, gram sabhas were organized in all villages to reduce stigma among people. Tell about signs and symptoms of leprosy to the people. This campaign organized awareness programs in schools, villages, rural and urban both to reduce stigma.
During these days Awareness is spread among people about Leprosy all over India, and the stigma spread in the people is removed and people are told that leprosy is not caused by shaking hands, eating together, living together. people are told about the general symptoms of leprosy. People are told that leprosy is a disease like other diseases and its treatment is completely possible with MDT Which is completely free and available at every government hospital.
Although leprosy is treatable, it can inflict long-term physical limitations and damage to a person’s nerves, skin, eyes, and limbs if left untreated. As a result, early diagnosis and treatment with the MDT remain the best option for curing leprosy and preventing long-term nerve damage, deformity, and disability, as well as breaking the leprosy transmission chain. and to attain the aim of no leprosy-related impairment in children.
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FAQs SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign 2022:
Who discovered Mycobacterium Leprae?
Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen discovered Mycobacterium leprae, a slow-growing microbe, as the cause of the disease in 1873.
What is the full form Of MDT?
The full form of MDT is Multidrug therapy.
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