Indonesia was ranked 3 (three) with a total of 17,723 patients for the number of people with leprosy in the world. Leprosy is not only a medical impact on society, but also the stigma and discrimination on people affected by leprosy. Therefore, it is not enough for the leprosy services to perform medical acts and elimination efforts to stigma and discrimination, but the activity also needs to disseminate about leprosy to the public.

Leprosy is known as Hansen's disease in which the historical record which was known to the public since 300 BC. Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. The bacterium was first discovered by G.A. Hansen in 1873. These bacteria have a long division process between 2 - 3 weeks. Bacteria survival reached 9-day lepers outside the human body. Human being is believed to be the main source of transmission of the disease Leprosy. Many leprosy bacteria lodged in the skin and the human nasal mucosa. Germ leprosy has an incubation period of 2 to 5 years can also even take more than 5 years. Not known exactly how the mode of transmission of leprosy bacterium. But theoretically it is known that a person infected with the germ of leprosy having been in direct contact in a very long term with people affected by leprosy who are not taking medication. The way of leprosy bacteria entry to others is estimated via the upper respiratory tract.

Many people are afraid of contracting leprosy excessive. According to medical research Leprosy is a type of infectious disease with a infectious difficulty. There are 3 (three) groups of people in leprosy transmission system:

1. People who have high levels of immunity against the germ of leprosy, they will be resistant to the leprosy bacteria.

2. People who have low immunity against leprosy germs, then maybe that person can be infected with leprosy germs but will heal by itself.

3. People who do not have immunity against leprosy. If the person is in direct contact for a long time with people who carry leprosy bacteria and not taking medication, then that person will have leprosy.
   

From the results of the research known that 95% of persons have immunity (resistance) against leprosy. While only 5% of people who do not have immunity against leprosy germs. As a description: From 100 people, 95 people cannot be attacked by leprosy and 3 of the sick and can be cured by itself and 2 of the patients must take medication.

The signs of Leprosy

1. The signs on the skin:

   • Disorders of the skin in the form of reddish patches, vaginal discharge, or lumps.

   • Glossy skin.

   • Spots are not itchy.

   • The existence of the body that are not sweaty and hairless.

   • Blisters but no pain.

2. The signs of the nerves:

   • Tingling, impaled, stabbed and pain in the limbs or face.

   • Disturbance crust on the limbs or the face.

   • Existence of disability (deformities) in the body.

   • There were injuries but no pain.

If you are experiencing the signs .So please come to Centers for health care immediately.