Leprosy Bg.docx

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by acid-fast, rod-shaped bacillus Myobacterium leprae. It primarily affects superficial tissues, especially the skin and peripheral nerves, as well as the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. Though leprosy is curable and treatment in early stages can prevent disability, it can still produce social and psychological effects to the lepers due to the highly visible debilities and sequelae that they can get due to the disease. For this reason, a historical stigma was associated with leprosy. As a result, in order to minimize the prejudice against those with leprosy, the disease was also called Hansen Disease, named after G.A. Hansen, who credited the discovery of M. leprae in 1873.