Method of Treatment
This disease is generally cured with two basic treatments but the treatment changes depending on how bad the disease is (Schoenstadt, Arthur). The two basic treatments are antibiotics and supportive care. The antibiotics are used to kill the Mycobacterium leprae but more than one antibiotic is used together because the bacteria is resistant to certain ones. There are three antibiotics that are mostly used and those three are Dapsone, Rifampin, and Clofozinime (Schoenstadt, Arthur). Those antibiotics work in curing Leprosy by attacking Mycobacterium Leprae. Also, those antibiotics work in preventing nerve damage, deformity, disability and further transmission and researchers are currently working on making a vaccine that detects Leprosy sooner so the treatment can be started earlier. You could be taking antibiotics for 6 months or the rest of your life it depends on what stage of the disease your in. The next treatment type is Supportive care and it does not affect the progression of leprosy, but it can help reduce symptoms and minimize complications (Schoenstadt, Arthur). Many of the deformities and disabilities from Leprosy can be prevented. Supportive Care usually includes treatment from Orthopedic surgeons (bone doctors), Eye doctors, and Physical therapists (Kates, Tasha) Examples of some of those treatments are reconstructive surgery, casts, and specialized foot wear (Kates, Tasha).