History of leprosy
Leprosy is a sickness that makes people's skin and nerves sickly. Nobody is entirely sure when leprosy first started appearing, but historians think it has been around since very long ago, possibly even as far back as ancient Egyptian times. Many people throughout history thought that leprosy was caused by a curse sent by a god or punishment for some wrongdoing. Scientists now know that leprosy is caused by a kind of bacteria that we can't easily see without special tools.
Throughout history, those who suffered from leprosy faced severe social and economic persecution, most of the time being forced to live in isolated communities away from everyone else. People were afraid of catching the disease, even though it wasn't very contagious. In some parts of the world, leprosy victims were often regarded as unclean and were not allowed to marry, have children or do other things that other people without leprosy did. It was difficult for those affected by leprosy to live their lives freely and be accepted by others.
In the Middle Ages, around the 12th century, special hospitals were set up in Europe to care for people with leprosy. These hospitals, called leprosariums, provided medical care and shelter for leprosy patients in a better way than before. In the 19th century, scientists began experimenting with different treatments to cure leprosy, and found that a drug called Dapsone was helpful in speedily stopping the growth of the bacteria that caused leprosy. Today, experts can prescribe a combination of antibiotics for treating those who have leprosy. People with leprosy can now live a normal life thanks to the discovery of various treatments and remedies.
Throughout history, those who suffered from leprosy faced severe social and economic persecution, most of the time being forced to live in isolated communities away from everyone else. People were afraid of catching the disease, even though it wasn't very contagious. In some parts of the world, leprosy victims were often regarded as unclean and were not allowed to marry, have children or do other things that other people without leprosy did. It was difficult for those affected by leprosy to live their lives freely and be accepted by others.
In the Middle Ages, around the 12th century, special hospitals were set up in Europe to care for people with leprosy. These hospitals, called leprosariums, provided medical care and shelter for leprosy patients in a better way than before. In the 19th century, scientists began experimenting with different treatments to cure leprosy, and found that a drug called Dapsone was helpful in speedily stopping the growth of the bacteria that caused leprosy. Today, experts can prescribe a combination of antibiotics for treating those who have leprosy. People with leprosy can now live a normal life thanks to the discovery of various treatments and remedies.