 Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 4:07 am Post subject: Health Care Providers Learn Details of Recurrence, Treatment |
 |
|
Leprosy has reared it ugly head in Northwest Arkansas. But it's not nearly as ugly as it used to be.
Health care providers learned the facts April 20 and April 21 in Fayetteville at a continuing education program presented by the National Hansen's Disease Research Center in Baton Rogue, La., and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Arkansas Health Education Center Northwest in Fayetteville.
"It is easily diagnosable and easily treatable with antibiotics," said Dr. James Wharton, a Springdale dermatologist and speaker at the conference.
"It's not highly communicable," said Dr. Joe Bates, deputy state health director with the Department of Health and Human Services.
"Ninety-five to 97 percent of the people are naturally immune," Wharton added. "They couldn't get it if they took a bath with the stuff."
The disease affects Northwest Arkansas' immigrant populations, however -- especially the Marshallese.
"We have known for a long time of leprosy in the Marshall Islands," Bates said. "It's a substantial issue in the Marshall Islands. And they are bringing their health issues to this country with them.
"But we don't see much of it here," he continued. "Most nurses and doctors never see a single case."
Medical professionals know leprosy as Hansen's disease, named for G.H. Armaeur Hansen who discovered the bacteria in 1873 in Norway.
"This isn't the leprosy you read about in the Bible," said Dr. James Krahenbuhl, director of the National Hansen's Disease Program. "That was probably any number of different skin conditions.
"Leprosy is the most misunderstood of human diseases," Krahenbuhl continued. "Health care workers lack awareness. There's a stigma associated with the disease. It's not taught in med school. When you leave here today, you will know more than 99 percent of the physicians and nurses in the United States."
Hansen's Debilitating
Hansen's disease typically shows up with chronic skin lesions within a year of infection in people between the ages of 38 and 52, Krahenbuhl explained. These often occur on the arms, legs and "cooler" areas of the body.
"It can look like anything, but a blister -- ringworm, a common rash," said Dr. David Scollard, chief of pathology research for the National Hansen's Disease Program. "It has a wide range of appearances, depending on the patient's immune response to the bug."
Sensation in the lesions often disappear, and the untreated disease can lead to enlarged peripheral nerves and nerve damage, Scollard continued.
Without treatment, patients can lose toes or fingers from other injuries related to the disease, said Dr. Barbara Stryjewska, a medical officer with the Hansen's Center. "But it takes years to lose fingers."
Other consequences can include insensitivity to temperature, which can lead to injuries; dry skin, resulting in fissures; paralysis and loss of feeling, which can lead to fractures and other injuries; and dry eyes, maybe resulting in corneal scars and blindness, Stryjewska said.
NWA Morning News |
|
