Treatment: How is leprosy treated? Medication, antibiotics. Do we have a vaccine?

Author:
Mgr. Kristína Krajčovičová
Mgr. Kristína Krajčovičová
Healthcare worker

Treatment options...

In modern healthcare, treatment is now available for all types and forms of leprosy.

Treatment consists of the administration of specific types of antibiotics (rifampicin, clofazimine, etc.). The patient takes them individually on a long-term basis for one to two years.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are usually part of the treatment. Movement therapy and rehabilitation are indicated against muscle contractures and muscle atrophy. In worse cases of late diagnosis, the resulting deformity is resolved by surgery and prosthesis.

Vaccination and a vaccine against leprosy do not currently exist. However, the tuberculosis vaccine has proved effective and has shown some protection against leprosy. Clinical trials of this vaccine are currently under way.

Complications in treatment are mainly due to late diagnosis and the presence of already serious consequences (body deformity, permanent nerve damage, blindness, infertility, kidney failure, etc.).

fshare on Facebook
Mgr. Kristína Krajčovičová
Mgr. Kristína Krajčovičová
Healthcare worker
I completed my bachelor's degree in physiotherapy at the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague. I continued and completed my master's degree in physiotherapy at the Faculty of Health Engineering of TnUAD. I am currently pursuing my PhD rigorosis at the Slovak University of Health Sciences in Bratislava. During my studies I worked as a physiotherapist in the rehabilitation clinic of Vamed Mediterra in Prague and then as a physiotherapist at the Regional Hospital in Liberec in the Department of Neurology. During my employment I was part of the medical team in the Covid19 department. I am mostly interested in human musculoskeletal system, rehabilitation, physiotherapy in gynaecology and natural medicine. My hobbies include exercising, running, writing and managing social media.
View all articles by the same author