Leprosorium - what is it? How do patients with leprosy live?
Leprosy was once perceived by people as a terrible disease. Today it is successfully treated by doctors. On the territory of Russia there are 3 specialized institutions where patients are observed. Depending on the severity of the course, these or other types of medications are prescribed. In any case, in recent years, significant progress has been made in controlling the manifestations of the disease.
Leprosorium - what is it and what is it created for?
Leprosoria is an institution where patients with leprosy are. They are fully provided by the state. Due to the availability of combined treatment, their condition rarely becomes neglected. Such therapy gives an excellent effect.
Medical workers often say that there are practically no people with active form of leprosy. For this reason, they no longer have to exist in conditions of absolute isolation. Often they are allowed to go home to let them see their relatives. More and more often information is heard about the death of those who fell ill from old age, and not manifestations of leprosy.
The whole separate colony where patients live, is leprosarium. What is an institution that can give people? First of all, this feeling of freedom and the lack of fastidious attitude on the part of others. They often marry, have children, and generally live like ordinary people. In addition to the hospital itself, on the territory there are often various objects that allow to support the life of local residents. They try to enjoy simple trifles, work in the fields, plant animals.
Perhaps in the next decade the last leprosarium will disappear from the face of the Earth. What is leprosy, people are more likely to not recognize. At least throughout the world, there is a tendency to gradually reduce the number of hospitals of this type. This is due to a decrease in morbidity. But at the same time in India, for example, there are still a lot of cases of infection with Hansen's wand. It is believed that the reason for this - poor sanitary conditions in the country.
How can I get infected?
Many people heard the song of the group "Crematorium" "Leprosory" about people with this terrible disease. Only close and prolonged contact can lead to infection. But even when faced with a pathogen, whose role is performed by mycobacterium leprosy, you can stay healthy. Everything depends on the specific organism. Most people have innate immunity. Only 20% of the world's population is receptive.
Today, as in the last century, they put leprosy in lepers. The causative agent is transmitted by airborne droplets, as well as through the personal belongings of the patient. Mainly it's clothes. It is noteworthy that among animals only chimpanzees and armadillos suffer. But this requires artificial infection.
Symptoms of
Diagnosis of the disease is very difficult, because the incubation period can be very long. Sometimes it is only 6 months, but more often it takes up to several years. There are cases when leprosy did not make itself felt for 40 years!
If Hansen's wand activates, so-called precursors appear. They consist of the following symptoms:
- pain in the head and joints;
- weakness and rapid fatigue;
- temperature increase;
- polyneuritis.
Next, skin manifestations are noted. On their basis, doctors usually make a diagnosis. They are expressed in the formation of nodules, as well as areas with dark or discolored spots.
Forms of
Several forms of the disease can be distinguished:
- Lepromatous. A person complains of loss of sensitivity in certain areas of the body. On the surface of the skin, spots with a clear border are visible. After this, there is inflammation of the nerves, insomnia, pain. A characteristic feature is the deformation of the limbs. Also ill with this form can be distinguished by the so-called lion's face. Hairs fall from the eyebrows, and the fold between them thickens.
- Tuberculoid. It is considered to be the least contagious form. In addition, it is considered more benign. On the skin, you can see peeling areas that have lost sensitivity. As in the previous case, neuritis occurs. It is impossible to predict the outcome.
- Juvenile. Occurs in children. The disease is characterized by good health. Patients complain only of a large number of hard-to-spot spots on the skin.
- Undefined form, the most favorable. Polyneuritis is combined with a small amount of spots on the surface of the skin. After a few months, all the manifestations go away by themselves, and the patient recovers.
The most macabre places on the planet
The most famous in Russia are institutions for monitoring leprosy patients located in Astrakhan and the Caucasus. It is interesting that the island is often chosen for colonies. The leper colony was built on the territory of one of them in Korea. Another place - Spinalonga - is very popular with tourists. In general, there is an unusual connection between the isolation of natural objects and their terrible history.
It would seem that the treatment and rehabilitation of people - that's what the leprosarium is for. What is a place that can tell a terrible thing? It turns out that not everything is so harmless. As for the island of Forty, it is rumored that among its inhabitants there are no more lepers. However, they are still not allowed to come to the mainland. The fact is that despite the absence of an agent in the body, the appearance of people reflects the traces of his activity. Thus, in the 21st century absolutely healthy Koreans, who have certain physical deformities, are forced to live in an isolated place.
Spinalonga is another island where leprosy is located. True, there is very little left from him. People who found leprosy were sent here by whole families. They were settled in small houses and supplied with food. They did not have to count on medical assistance. It was not allowed to marry, but this prohibition was not respected. If a healthy child was born to two patients, they took it and sent it to the mainland. After the invention of the vaccine, the inhabitants of the island were cured completely and left its limits.