Leprosy—Current Information for Doctors Who May Go Abroad

Abstract

Many specialties are involved in the treatment of leprosy. Skills of the radiologist, bacteriologist and pathologist are essential for diagnosis, and those of the internist or generalist for treatment.

After the patient has become bacteriologically negative, the goal is rehabilitation. In general, this has been directed chiefly to the combined specialties of orthopedics and physiotherapy; however, the ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist, psychiatrist, medical social worker and others play important roles in the process and, without the plastic surgeon, rehabilitation cannot be complete.