Prevention of Leprosy and Diphtheria

Leprosy

LEPROSY is a chronic infectious disease of man, which attack the skin and nerves. It can be diagnosed and cured with no damaging after-effects if recognized early and treated properly. If left untreated - it may cause severe emotional distress to patients and their families, and may also seriously disturb their social life.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Early Signs

Change in the color of the skin that do not disappear with ordinary treatment. Disturbance of sensation (loss of feeling) on the lession of the skin. Decrease/loss of sweating and hair growth over the skin lessions. Muscle weakness or paralysis of extremities. Pain and redness in the eyes. Thickened and/or painful nerves. Nasal obstruction or bleeding. Ulcers that do not respond to treatment (heal)

Late Signs:

Loss of eyebrows. Inability to close eyelids. Clawing of finger and toes. Contracture. Sinking of the nosebridge. Enlargement of the breast in males. Chronic ulcers

PREVENTION

Avoid direct contact between patient with active leprosy and young children. Practice personal hygiene. Maintain body resistance by healthful living. Effective health education on treatment and prevention for the patient and community. BCG vaccination for children

TREATMENT

Leprosy can now be treated at home. To be effective treatment should be adequate, regular and continuous.Treatment usually requires, years. Deformity can be prevented if already present can be corrected.

OTHER FACTS ABOUT LEPROSY

Leprosy begins very slowly. The earlier leprosy is diagnosed, the earlier the cure. When a patient has taken regular treatment for. 3-6 months most of the germs in his skin, nose, mouth are quickly killed by the drug and he becomes non-infectious.

It can only spread from a person with untreated disease to another person who has not yet got it.

80%-90% of people cannot get the disease, even if exposed because majority are able to kill the germs that enter their body. Not all cases of leprosy are infectious. Children are more easily infected than adults. Deformity and disability are secondary effects of loss of feeling which occurs in leprosy. They can be prevented.

Diphtheria

It is caused by germs that lodge on soft, moist body tissues: the throat, tonsils, windpipe, lining of the eyelids, the inner ear, lungs, intestines, wound surfaces, and sometimes, the mouth. It affects mainly children. Diphtheria germs produce a powerful poison (toxin) which spreads throughout the body. It is particularly harmful to the heart, blood vessels, nerve and kidneys, and may injure these organs severely enough to cause death. Unchecked, this disease can be serious and is, in fact., often fatal especially in children under five years of age.

SYMPTOMS

Difficulty in breathing and pain in swallowing. Enlargement of lymph glands in the throat and swelling of the neck. Fever. White and grayish spots on tongue and tonsils

TREATMENT

Consult a doctor immediately. Isolate patient for prescribed period. Disinfect all eating untensils, clothing handkerchiefs, towels, linens, and other objects that have been used by the infected person.

PREVENTION

The community should participate in information dissemination regarding diphtheria prevention and get involved in local planning of immunization activities during the Expanded programme in Immunization (EPI) rounds of the Rural Health Unit. Avoid crowds. Diphtheria germs in tiny droplets of moisture from the mouth or throat of an infected person are spread during coughing or sneezing. Avoid direct contact with and kissing infected person. Diphtheria germs are lodged in the mouth and can be transferred through kissing. Do not use utensils, beddings, clothings and other articles that have been used by infected persons. Report suspected cases to the health authorities for immediate treatment.

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