Question

In: Biology

What is Hansen’s disease (its etiological agent, mode of transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention)?

What is Hansen’s disease (its etiological agent, mode of transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention)?

Solutions

Expert Solution

Hansen’s disease (also known as leprosy) is an infection caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. It can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose (nasal mucosa). With early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can be cured. People with Hansen’s disease can continue to work and lead an active life during and after treatment. The symptoms are-

  • Discolored patches of skin, usually flat, that may be numb and look faded (lighter than the skin around)
  • Growths (nodules) on the skin
  • Thick, stiff or dry skin
  • Painless ulcers on the soles of feet
  • Painless swelling or lumps on the face or earlobes
  • Loss of eyebrows or eyelashes

Symptoms caused by damage to the nerves are:

  • Numbness of affected areas of the skin
  • Muscle weakness or paralysis (especially in the hands and feet)
  • Enlarged nerves (especially those around the elbow and knee and in the sides of the neck)
  • Eye problems that may lead to blindness (when facial nerves are affected.

It is not known exactly how Hansen’s disease spreads between people. Scientists currently think it may happen when a person with Hansen’s disease coughs or sneezes, and a healthy person breathes in the droplets containing the bacteria. Prolonged, close contact with someone with untreated leprosy over many months is needed to catch the disease. Hansen’s disease is also not passed on from a mother to her unborn baby during pregnancy and it is also not spread through sexual contact. Due to the slow-growing nature of the bacteria and the long time it takes to develop signs of the disease, it is often very difficult to find the source of infection.

The prevention of leprosy ultimately lies in the early diagnosis and treatment of those individuals suspected or diagnosed as having leprosy, thereby preventingfurther transmission of the disease to others. There is currently no widely used standard for using medications for the prevention of leprosy.


Related Solutions

What is Hansen’s disease (its etiological agent, mode of transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention)?
What is Hansen’s disease (its etiological agent, mode of transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention)?
What is Hansen’s disease (its etiological agent, mode of transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention)?
What is Hansen’s disease (its etiological agent, mode of transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention)?
What is Hansen’s disease (its etiological agent, mode of transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention)?
What is Hansen’s disease (its etiological agent, mode of transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention)?
What is Hansen’s disease (its etiological agent, mode of transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention)?
What is Hansen’s disease (its etiological agent, mode of transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention)?
Describe the Signs and symptoms, Causative agent, Mode of transmission and Prevention of Monkey Pox disease.
Describe the Signs and symptoms, Causative agent, Mode of transmission and Prevention  of Monkey Pox disease.
What is the etiological agent and the main manifestations of cholera?
What is the etiological agent and the main manifestations of cholera?
What is the likely diagnosis of this case? Define it and list its possible causes, mode of transmission, and clinical manifestations?
  Case Study(1) A 53-year-old gentleman with a background of asthma on long-term low dose inhaled corticosteroid inhaler had an acute exacerbation of his asthma in February 2020 triggered by a viral upper respiratory tract infection and acute sinusitis and was managed with bronchodilator nebulization and a 7-day course of oral prednisone 30 mg daily. He made an uneventful recovery and proceeded to travel to Austria. During his stay in Austria, he had a high fever, sore throat, dry cough,...
Describe the Signs and symptoms, Causative agent, Mode of transmission and Prevention of Covid-19.
Describe the  Signs and symptoms, Causative agent, Mode of transmission and Prevention of Covid-19.
What is the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis? How is the disease transmitted and what are...
What is the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis? How is the disease transmitted and what are its typical manifestations?
What is the etiological agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis? How is the disease transmitted and what are...
What is the etiological agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis? How is the disease transmitted and what are its typical manifestations?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT