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The disease can cause:

Skin lesions that may be faded/discolored

Growths on the skin  Thick, stiff or dry skin

Severe pain  Numbness on affected areas of the skin

Muscle weakness or paralysis (especially in the hands and feet)

Enlarged nerves (especially those around the elbow and knee)

A stuffy nose

Nosebleeds

Ulcers on the soles of feet

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Leprosy is caused by the bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae. This disease is also known as Hansen's disease. It usually affects the skin and peripheral nerves but has a wide range of possible clinical manifestations

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Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes.

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Scientist, and evidence, suggests that leprosy is spread via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.

Droplets and other secretions can contain the bacteria that cause Hansen’s disease.

If you breathe these in, you can become sick with the disease.

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The best way to prevent the spread of Leprosy is early diagnosis and treatment of people who are infected.

Household and other close contacts should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible and then every year for five years after contact with a person who has the disease.

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Leprosy is treated with a combination of antibiotics for 6 months to 2 years. The antibiotics are dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine. These drugs kill the pathogen and cure the patient.