Opinion: I’m a doctor who specializes in treating leprosy. Here’s what I want you to know
Recent alarmism around leprosy in Florida highlights the need for additional education on the disease for both the public and health care providers.
In recent weeks, you may have seen alarming headlines about how leprosy might become “endemic” in Florida. As a physician in Florida who specializes in treating leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, this case report was not “news” to us in the field: We have known for some time about endemic cases of leprosy. However, given how rare the disease is in the state, there is no cause for alarm — despite the fearful headline.
Leprosy is caused by infection with one of the bacteria from the Mycobacterium leprae complex. This organism infects the skin and nerves of affected patients and presents as rashes that often have absent sensation, and can have pain or loss of sensation in the hands and feet. Due to the nerve involvement and subsequent loss of protective sensation, patients with leprosy can burn or injure themselves without even noticing, which can lead to infections and subsequent complications requiring amputation. (Despite the popular misconception, leprosy does not cause spontaneous amputations or loss of skin — like a nose or finger falling off.) Because of these injuries, leprosy causes significant morbidity for patients that are affected and is the leading cause of infectious disability worldwide.
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