Leprosy

Running head: LEPROSY “HANSEN’S DISEASE” Leprosy “Hansen’s disease” Danielle E. Goncalves Submitted to Mrs. Kathy Johnson in partial fulfillment of Microbiology Greater Lowell Technical Vocational school October 2008 Leprosy”Hansen’s disease” It is chronic infectious disease caused by slow-growing bacteria or bacillus called Mycobacterium Leprae, which affect the skin, peripheral nerves, which are nerves of hands and feet, and mucous membranes. This disease has been around since biblical times. In 1873, Dr. Armauer Hansen , from Norway, saw the Mycobacterium Leprae under a microscope for the first time, hence the medical name, “Hansen’s Disease”. It is an acid-fast rod-shaped organism with rounded ends and parallel sides. The mode of transmission for this disease is uncertain because it has a long incubation period (time before symptoms appear); symptoms may take as long as 20 years to appear. It istransmitted through respiratory droplets, from the mouth and nose, during contact with untreated people. In conclusion, this infectious disease is more common in warm, tropical areas, therefore, not affecting too many people in the United States. The disease can be cured if the multidrug therapy is taken as directed. Once the treatment is started there is no risk for spreading. Sal Salcido MD,Richard. (2004). Editorial: An Unusual Cause of Nonhealing Wounds [Electronic version]. Advances in Skin & Wound Care: The Journal for Prevention and Healing, 17(5), 214-214. Retrieved October 19, 2008, from http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=507856 Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center. (2008). From Living with Hansen's Disease: Questions and Answers. Retrieved October 19, 2008 from http://www.leprosy.org/getinformed/aboutleprosy/basics.php New York Times Company. (2008). Leprosy. Retrieved October 19, 2008 from http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/infectiousdiseases/Leprosy.htm World Health Organization. (2005) Leprosy. Fact sheet 101....