World Leprosy Day:Leprosy, which we call leprosy in common parlance, is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Mainly affects the nerves of the hands, feet, skin, lining of the nose and upper respiratory tract. This disease is also known as Hansen’s disease. It was the Norwegian physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen who discovered M. leprae, the causative agent of leprosy. Hence earlier it was known as Hansen’s disease. Leprosy causes skin ulcers, nerve damage and muscle weakness, if not treated in time, the sufferer has to face severe disability.
What are the symptoms of leprosy?
The symptoms of leprosy are never immediately understood, it takes at least 20 years for its symptoms to appear. Actually, mycobacterium grows very slowly after entering the body, due to which its symptoms appear in many years. The biggest reason for the seriousness of this disease is that by the time the infected person identifies its symptoms, it is too late.
- White rashes appear on the body during leprosy. Huh. These marks are numb. There is no sensation in this. If you prick yourself with a sharp object, you will not feel pain.
- Affected organs Injuries, burns or cuts are also not detected
- The patient of leprosy begins to have difficulty in blinking, because the leprae bacteria dominates the nerves of the patient’s eyes and affects their sensation and signals.
Why is January 30 celebrated as Leprosy Day in India
According to WHO, World Leprosy Day falls on the last Sunday of January. French journalist Raoul Folereau started celebrating this day in 1954 to make people aware of the treatment and cure of people affected by the disease. In the whole world it is celebrated only on 29th January but in India it is celebrated on 30th January. It is because on this day the death anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi also happens.Mahatma Gandhi used to have compassion and affection towards leprosy patients. Let us also tell you that according to WHO, leprosy is at least 4 thousand years old. The organization has set a target of making 120 countries zero leprosy by 2030.
Don’t believe these rumors about leprosy
- Many people It goes on in the mind that leprosy is a divine outbreak, because of this people do not even want to talk about this subject, but this is a big misconception.
- People believe that leprosy is a genetic disease. But it is not at all like this, it happens only after getting infected. Neither is. Leprosy can be treated and people can lead a normal life as they recover from other diseases.
- There is also a misconception that leprosy is highly contagious. It is a disease, it can be caused by touching anyone. While this is not the case at all. This disease can happen to any person when there is contact with him for a long time. Even this disease cannot be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her child.
