Leprosy or leprosy is identified with a dangerous, disgusting, highly contagious and deadly disease. Therefore, this disease must be avoided.
In history, there has often been discrimination against people with leprosy. They were shunned, and even some of them were ostracized in a separate place, especially for people with leprosy. This is related to the assumption that leprosy is a curse.
Citing various sources, leprosy comes from the Indian language "kustha", and in various national cultures it has been known even since the era before Christ. It is estimated that leprosy or leprosy was first identified in 600 BC.
In Islamic tradition, leprosy or leprosy is one of the diseases to be wary of. Rasulullah SAW himself in a hadith teaches prayer specifically to avoid leprosy or leprosy.
عن أنس – رضي الله عنه – : أنَّ النبيَّ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – كَانَ يقول : “ اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ البَرَصِ ، والجُنُونِ ، والجُذَامِ ، وَسَيِّيءِ الأسْقَامِ" . رواه أَبُو داود بإسناد صحيحٍ
Meaning: It was narrated from Anas -radliyallahu anhu- that the Prophet Muhammad salallahu alaihi wasallam prayed: "O Allah, I seek refuge in you from stripes, madness, leprosy and other bad diseases". This hadith was narrated by Abu Dawud with a valid sanad.
The Prophet also said:
فِرَّ مِنَ الْمَجْذُوْمِ كَمَا تَفِرُّ مِنَ اْلأَسَدِ
"Avoid you from people affected by judzam (leprosy), as you run from a savage lion" (HR al-Bukhari).
But on the other hand, the Prophet is also mentioned as having pledged allegiance to lepers, even eating together. Imam at-Tirmidhi narrates in at-Tirmidhi
أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ الله: أَخَذَ بِيَدِ مَجْذُوْمٍ فَأَدْخَلَهُ مَعَهُ فِيْ اْلقَصْعَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ كُلْ بِاسْمِ اللهِ ثِقَةً بِاللهِ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللهِ
Meaning: "Indeed the Messenger of Allah, took the hand of a leper, then put it with his hand into a plate. Then he said: "'Eat in the name of Allah, trusting and trusting in Him'" (at-Tirmidhi).
This shows that the Prophet did not discriminate or exclude people with leprosy. However, Rasulullah SAW knew that this disease was dangerous. Therefore, as narrated in a number of hadiths, it is better to avoid people who are exposed to dangerous diseases, if they are at risk of contracting it.
Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Leprosy
The causes of leprosy or leprosy need to be watched out for even though cases of this disease are decreasing. Leprosy or leprosy is a skin disease that can damage nerves and muscles. Leprosy will cause rashes, lesions, and ulcers on the skin.
Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases in history. The first known written reference to leprosy is from about 600 BC. This explains that the cause of leprosy or leprosy has existed for hundreds of years and is still being found today.
The cause of leprosy or leprosy can be transmitted from one person to another. In Indonesia, the number of sufferers began to decline in 2002. However, there are still some areas where cases of leprosy are still found. The cause of leprosy or leprosy is indeed more at risk of spreading in the tropics.
The cause of leprosy or leprosy can be treated with appropriate and intensive treatment. Despite its infectious reputation, the cause of leprosy or leprosy can be prevented and cured. The following is a review of the causes of leprosy or leprosy that have been summarized from various sources.
Leprosy is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) or Mycobacterium lepromatosis (M. lepromatosis). This disease mainly attacks the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract and eyes. This mycobacterium can grow slowly.
Leprosy is known to occur at all ages from childhood to very old age. The cause of leprosy or leprosy can be contagious even before it is detected. Even so leprosy can be cured and early treatment by preventing most of the disability.
Leprosy Transmission
According to WHO, the exact mechanism of transmission of leprosy is unknown. At least until recently, the most widely held belief was that the disease was transmitted through contact between an infected person and a healthy person. This usually occurs when a person sneezes or coughs.
Scientists believe it is captured through droplets of water vapor passing through the air from a person who has leprosy but has not yet started treatment.
The bacteria that cause leprosy reproduce very slowly. The disease has an average incubation period (time between infection and the appearance of the first symptoms) of five years. Symptoms may not appear for 20 years.
Recently the possibility of transmission through the respiratory tract has increased. There are also other possibilities such as transmission through insects which cannot be completely ruled out.
This disease is actually difficult to transmit, but close and repeated contact with untreated people for a longer period of time can lead to contracting leprosy.
Symptoms of Leprosy
Symptoms of leprosy can be different for each individual. The main symptoms of leprosy include:
- The appearance of minor lesions on the skin and persist for weeks or months.
- Patches of skin with reduced sensations, such as touch, pain, and heat.
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness in hands, feet, legs and arms
- Eye problems
- Enlarged nerves, especially in the elbows or knees
- Stuffy nose and nosebleed
- Curl fingers and thumbs
- Boils on the soles of the feet.
A person may be unaware of having a burn or injury to the skin. This is due to numbness due to nerve damage.
Further Complications Due to Leprosy Delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to serious complications. Without treatment, leprosy can damage the skin, nerves, arms, legs, feet, and eyes permanently.
Wounds on the skin caused by leprosy or leprosy are more likely to be infected, because the immune defenses are weakened by leprosy. This condition can also cause cartilage reabsorption by the body. This creates a secondary infection that can result in tissue loss. This condition leads to a characteristic shortening of the toes and fingers.
Damage to the mucous membranes that line the inside of the nose can sometimes cause internal damage and scarring. Leprosy can also destroy the nerves responsible for blinking. This can cause the eyes to become dry and prone to infection, potentially leading to ulceration and blindness.