City Health Office of Cagayan de Oro Highlights Leprosy Awareness with Free Kutis Kilatis Skin Check-Up for World Leprosy Day
This World Leprosy Day, January 28th, the City Health Office (CHO) is bringing free skin examinations straight to your barangay with their “Kutis Kilatis” campaign. It’s a chance to learn about, check for, and ultimately conquer this disease!
Leprosy is Curable! Many misunderstand Leprosy, but Assistant City Health Officer-Designate Dr. Claire Paglinawan wants to be clear: Leprosy is curable! Modern medicine has effective treatments that can not only eliminate the disease but also prevent its spread. Sadly, leprosy is often associated with stigma and discrimination due to historical misconceptions about its contagiousness and disfiguring effects. It’s important to remember that people with leprosy can live healthy and productive lives with proper treatment and support.
What is Leprosy?
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the nerves and skin. It is caused by the slow-growing bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, which multiplies very slowly, taking about 3-5 years on average to produce symptoms.
Here are some additional facts about leprosy:
- It is not as contagious as you think. Despite being a bacterial infection, leprosy is actually not very contagious. Transmission typically occurs through prolonged close contact with an untreated person, often through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
- Most people are immune to leprosy. A significant portion of the population is naturally immune to leprosy, the exact percentage may vary. It’s generally agreed that a majority of people have a natural immunity.
- Leprosy is an ancient diseaseand has been around for centuries, with evidence of its existence dating back as far as 3000 BC.
- It is treatable and curable. The good news is that leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT), a combination of antibiotics that can kill the bacteria and prevent progression of the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent nerve damage and disability.
- The incubation period for leprosy can be as long as 20 years.
- There are two main types of leprosy: paucibacillary (less severe) and multibacillary (more severe).
- Left untreated, leprosy can cause nerve damage, leading to numbness, muscle weakness, and deformities.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends MDT for all cases of leprosy.
Early Detection is Key. While Leprosy is contagious, treatment stops it in its tracks. Don’t hesitate to seek help! If you experience any of these symptoms, the CHO encourages you to come forward:
- Pale skin lesions: Look for light-colored patches that may be numb or lose feeling.
- Muscle weakness: Fatigue and aches, especially in hands and feet, could be warning signs.
- Numbness: Loss of sensation in any part of the body is crucial to notice.
Join the “Kutis Kilatis” Movement. On January 28th, participating barangays will host free skin examinations. Take advantage of this opportunity to get checked and learn more about Leprosy. Remember, early detection makes all the difference!
Show Support, Break the Stigma! Let’s support those affected by Leprosy and break the stigma surrounding the disease. Their families, especially, deserve our understanding and compassion. By showing acceptance and offering a helping hand, we can truly overcome this challenge together.
This World Leprosy Day, shine a light on hope and knowledge. Take the “Kutis Kilatis” pledge: Get checked, spread awareness, and break the stigma. Let’s build a community where everyone can thrive, free from the fear of Leprosy!
For more information on “Kutis Kilatis” locations and timings, please contact your local barangay health center or the City Health Office.
Together, we can eliminate Leprosy, one diagnosis at a time!
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