Which disease is also known as "Hansen's Disease"?

Trooper2196

Leprosy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprosy Mar 28 11, 4:07 PM

Zbeckabee

Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy, is a chronic bacterial disease that primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves and upper airway. Feared as a highly contagious and devastating disease, it is well established that Hansen's disease (leprosy) is not highly transmissible, is very treatable, and, with early diagnosis and treatment, is not disabling. http://www.hrsa.gov/hansens/ The Romans and the Crusaders brought the disease to Europe, and the Europeans brought it to the Americas. In 1873, Dr. Hansen discovered bacteria in leprosy lesions, suggesting leprosy was an infectious disease, not a hereditary disease or a punishment from the gods. Because of Hansen's discovery of M. leprae, efforts were made to find treatments that would stop or eliminate M. leprae; in the early 1900s to about 1940, oil from Chaulmoogra nuts was used with questionable efficacy by injecting it into patients' skin. http://www.medicinenet.com/leprosy/article.htm Named after Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_Armauer_Hansen Mar 28 11, 6:50 PM