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Leprosy is also known as Hansen's disease. It is not hereditary and 95% of the population is not at risk due to having strong immune systems.

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Since the bacteria that causes leprosy grows slowly it may take from 9 months to over 20 years to show signs or symptoms.

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Visual symptoms may include patches of discolored skin, skin growths, sores on the soles of feet, and lumps or swelling on earlobes or on the face.

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Leprosy can also affect the upper respiratory mucosa leading to nosebleeds and a stuffy nose. An infected person may also have problems with their eyes that may lead to corneal ulcers or blindness.

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If left untreated, nerve damage can occur which can result in the crippling of hands and feet and possibly paralysis. It can also result in the reabsorption of affected digits which can lead to the loss of fingers and toes.

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Countries where Leprosy is more common include Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and parts of Africa. If you are in frequent contact with an infected person you need to speak to your doctor. Leprosy bacteria can be carried by nine banded armadillos, red squirrels and live in soil.

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Even though scientists are not 100% sure on how people become infected, it is believed that it comes from droplets of moisture transmitted through the air from an infected person whether it be by sneezing or coughing. Those that are at risk for Leprosy are ones that have frequent or close contact with those infected. Only 1 in 10 of those that have leprosy are contagious.

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Leprosy is curable. Multidrug Therapy (MDT) is a combination of 3 antibiotics-usually dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine. They should be taken 6-12 months depending on the type of leprosy the individual has. MDT will kill the bacteria and the patient will be cured. Once an infected individual begins treatment, they are no longer infectious. Unfortunately, the antibiotics will not reverse the deformities or damage caused by leprosy.

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Leprosy is caused by the bacteria Mycobaterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis.

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There are different forms of leprosy which can cause different signs and symptoms-Tuberculoid, Lepromatous and Borderline.