lepers

The term "leper" historically referred to individuals suffering from leprosy, a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. This disease primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract, eyes, and testes. Leprosy has been known since ancient times and has a long and complex history of social stigma and discrimination. In many societies, individuals with visible signs of leprosy were ostracized, often forced to live in isolation or in designated communities known as leprosariums. This isolation was driven by fear of contagion, often fueled by a lack of understanding about how the disease was transmitted.

Modern medical understanding has revealed that leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT). Transmission occurs through prolonged, close contact with an untreated person with leprosy. The disease progresses slowly, and symptoms can take years to appear. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, individuals with leprosy can recover and are no longer infectious. The stigma associated with the term "leper" and the disease itself persists in some areas, highlighting the ongoing need for education and awareness campaigns to combat discrimination and promote the well-being of those affected. Today, the preferred terminology is "person affected by leprosy" to emphasize the individual rather than the condition.