OverviewOverview Hansen’sHansen’s Disease Disease

Hansen’s Disease Community Hansen’s Disease Community ProgramProgram

What is Hansen’s Disease?

Bacterial infection: Mycobacterium Leprae Skin and Peripheral Nerves Complications: Loss of Sensation,

Secondary Infections, Loss of Motor Function, Eye Damage

Hansen’s Disease Bacilli

How is Hansen’s disease transmitted?

95% of the population has NATURAL IMMUNITY against M. Leprae

Depends on the degree of contact, type of Hansen’s disease, contact’s immunity, and index’s time without medication.

Prolonged daily exposure to untreated HD is the highest risk. (Household)

Route of Transmission: Nasal membranes of multibacillary patient, Cutaneous (rare) open HD lesions.

How is Hansen’s Disease treated?

Multi-drug therapyDapsoneRifampinClofazimineOther antibioticsMedications are free to patientsLength of Treatment varies: 6-24 monthsNo need for isolation or institutionalization

What are the signs and symptoms of Hansen’s disease?

Reddish or pale/hypopigmented skin lesions which usually do not itch and may be insensitive or anesthetic.

Nodular infiltration and thickening of the skin, especially on the face, earlobes, arms, and legs.

Tender, enlarged nerves, usually in an arm or leg, and sometimes on the lateral neck.

What are the signs and symptoms? (contd.) Paresthesia (tingling) and/or numbness of

the fingers or toes, or late sign weakness of arms, hands, legs, or feet

Painful lesions (if undiagnosed person is already into reactional state)

Tuberculoid LesionTuberculoid Lesion

Tuberculoid Lesion of the Tuberculoid Lesion of the ArmArm

Borderline TuberculoidBorderline Tuberculoid

Borderline TuberculoidBorderline Tuberculoid

Borderline BorderlineBorderline Borderline

Borderline LepromatousBorderline Lepromatous

LepromatousLepromatous

Type 1 ReactionType 1 Reaction

Type 2 Reactions/ENLType 2 Reactions/ENL

Hand Complications of HDHand Complications of HD

Foot Complications of HDFoot Complications of HD

If you note any symptoms on new students: Symptoms mentioned Lived in high endemic area Worsening rash despite other treatments Changes in sensation or peripheral nerve symptoms not

due to any other cause Known to be in close contact with a case before

treatment started PROVIDER CONSIDER 4 MM PUNCH BIOPSY AND

CALL HDCP

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