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