Leprosy: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฆ
leprosy
[ หlษprษsi ]
medical condition
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucous membranes, and eyes. If left untreated, leprosy can cause severe disfigurement and disability. The disease has a long incubation period, often lasting between five and twenty years, before symptoms become apparent. Leprosy is transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth, and it is not highly contagious compared to other diseases.
Synonyms
Hansen's disease, Mycobacterial infection
Examples of usage
- Leprosy is a rare disease in developed countries.
- People with leprosy often face stigma and isolation.
- The treatment for leprosy has advanced significantly in recent years.
- Early diagnosis of leprosy can prevent severe complications.
Translations
Translations of the word "leprosy" in other languages:
๐ต๐น lepra
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคขเคผ
๐ฉ๐ช Lepra
๐ฎ๐ฉ kusta
๐บ๐ฆ ะปะตะฟัะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ trฤ d
๐ฏ๐ต ใใณใปใณ็
๐ซ๐ท lรฉpre
๐ช๐ธ lepra
๐น๐ท cรผzam
๐ฐ๐ท ๋๋ณ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงูุฌุฐุงู
๐จ๐ฟ lepry
๐ธ๐ฐ lepry
๐จ๐ณ ้บป้ฃ
๐ธ๐ฎ guba
๐ฎ๐ธ gubba
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถาฏะดะตั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแ แ
๐ฆ๐ฟ lepra
๐ฒ๐ฝ lepra
Etymology
The word 'leprosy' comes from the Latin 'lepra', which is derived from the Greek word 'ฮปฮญฯฯฮฑ' (lepra), meaning 'scaly', possibly referring to the scaly skin lesions associated with the disease. Leprosy has been known since ancient times, with references to the disease found in historical texts from various cultures, including the Hebrew Bible and ancient Greek writings. The disease was often linked with social stigma, leading to the isolation of those affected in leper colonies. Over centuries, leprosy has been studied extensively, and significant advancements in understanding and treating the disease have changed perceptions and reduced the stigma associated with it. Today, with effective antibiotics, leprosy is no longer considered a significant public health threat in many parts of the world, though it still persists in some areas.