What is the cause of leprosy?

The cause of leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, has escaped medical practice for centuries. While some thought the disease was a curse or punishment from God, the real cause of leprosy lies in two types of bacterial infection. Since this discovery was carried out in the 20th century, antibiotics have been developed that can treat and treat disease in early stages.

leprosy has existed in the human population for thousands of years. Written accounts of the disease date at least 6th century BC and come from different cultures around the world. The obvious symptoms of the disease that include disfigurement, weakness and destruction of nervous and muscle tissue has long been victims of illness the aim for isolation and abuse. Although the disease is better understood in the modern world, it remains a serious condition that requires rapid medical treatment. While some patients may manifest symptoms within a few weeks after exposure, others may not show any signs of disease longer than ten LEt. Historically, this inconsistency in the development of symptoms almost prevented medical scientists to monitor the source of the disease and understand how it spreads; Only until the development of microscopic studies and modern antibiotic therapy could the real cause of leprosy be discovered.

The cause of leprosy may be one of the two bacteria, mycobacterium leprae and mycobacterium lepromatosis . Both bacteria come from the same family as tuberculosis and some cases of leprosy can be classified as tuberculin infections depending on symptoms. The infection is believed to be transmitted by inhalation of respiratory secretions such as mucous membranes or saliva. In some cases, bacteria may also be played from animals to humans, especially Armadillos.

While bacteria are the only known cause of leprosy, several risk factors can increase the chance of infection. High cases notPower is associated with extreme levels of poverty and the resulting lack of adequate hygiene or clean drinking water. It also tends to be disproportionately found in tropical or subtropical climate, although this can happen elsewhere. The most important risk factor for leprosy may be the presence of some genes known to be susceptible to disease. According to some experts, these genes may have less than 10% of the world's population, which means that most people will be fully immune to the disease.