Potential ‘Game Changer’ for Leprosy Prevention
A single dose of rifapentine reduced the incidence of leprosy among household contacts of patients with the infectious disease, a cluster-randomized trial out of China found. In an intention-to-treat analysis, the cumulative incidence of leprosy among 7,450 household contacts was 0.09% with an oral dose of rifapentine over 4 years of follow-up, as compared with […]
Is Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Contagious? Period, Symptoms & Causes
Leprosy Risk Factors People at highest risk are those who live in the areas where leprosy is endemic (parts of India, China, Japan, Nepal, Egypt, and other areas) and especially those people in constant physical contact with infected people. In addition, there is some evidence that genetic defects in the immune system may cause certain […]
Does Leprosy Turn Your Skin White Like Vitiligo?
Unlike vitiligo, leprosy does not turn your skin white. However, this highly contagious disease can cause discolored lumps or sores that disfigure the skin. The first sign of leprosy is often the development of a pale or pink-colored patch on the skin. The patch may be insensitive to temperature or pain. Skin patch, which is considered one […]