About Hansen's Disease (Leprosy)

What it is

Hansen's disease is caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. The disease can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose. In some cases, body parts may lose their sense of touch and pain, increasing the likelihood of injuries such as cuts and burn.

Despite the disease being hard to catch and completely curable, a lot of stigma and prejudice remains against those who have Hansen's disease. Individuals affected by the disease often face social isolation and discrimination, particularly in regions where the illness is prevalent.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms mainly affect the skin, nerves, and lining of the nose.

How long it takes for signs to show

The bacteria that causes Hansen's disease grows very slowly. After contact with the bacteria, it may take up to 20 years for someone to develop signs of the disease.

Risk factors

In the United States, Hansen's disease is rare. Most people with Hansen's disease in the U.S. became infected in a country where it is more common.

You may be at risk for the disease if you live in a country where the disease is widespread. According to WHO data from 2019:

• Brazil, India and Indonesia reported more than 10,000 new cases
• Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka and the United Republic of Tanzania each reported 1000–10,000 new cases.

How it spreads

Testing and diagnosis

Healthcare providers can diagnose Hansen's disease by conducting an exam and running diagnostic tests, like skin biopsies. They may look for patches of skin that may look lighter, darker, or redder than the person's normal skin and determine if those patches have a loss of feeling.

To confirm the diagnosis, healthcare providers will take a skin or nerve sample to look for the bacteria that cause Hansen's disease under the microscope. They may also do tests to rule out other skin diseases.

Treatment and recovery

Hansen's disease is treated with a combination of antibiotics. Treatment usually lasts between one to two years. The illness can be cured if treatment is completed as prescribed.

In the U.S., people with Hansen's disease may be treated at specialized clinics run by the National Hansen's Disease. There are several federally supported outpatient clinics throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Myths and misconceptions

Myth: Hansen's disease is very contagious.

Fact: Hansen’s disease does not spread easily from person to person. You cannot get it through casual contact such as shaking hands, sitting next to, or talking to someone who has the disease.

Myth: There is no cure for Hansen's disease.

Fact: Hansen's disease is curable. People being treated for Hansen's disease can live a normal life among their family and friends and can continue to attend work or school.

Myth: Hansen's disease makes your fingers and toes fall off.

Fact: Fingers and toes do not just “fall off” due to Hansen's disease. The bacteria that cause the disease attacks the nerves of the fingers and toes, causing them to become numb. Injuries like burns, ulcers, and cuts on numb parts can go unnoticed, which may lead to permanent damage or infection, causing loss of the digit. Sometimes, the nerve damage makes muscles in the fingers and toes so weak that the muscles and bones begin to disintegrate and be reabsorbed by the body.