PHO CONDUCTS CASE-FINDING ON LEPROSY
By: Renerose A. Beninsig Photo By: GPC- PHO Date: May 29, 2019
Provincial Health Office (PHO) staff composed of nurses and a medical technologist together with Municipal Health Office (MHO) staff of Aringay, La Union conducts an active case-finding of Leprosy in Barangay San Antonio, Aringay, La Union on May 29, 2019. The activity aims to improve reporting and enhance data collection in order to reveal hidden cases and to identify leprosy cases missed by recent detection efforts.
To reveal hidden cases, improve reporting, and enhance data collection and to identify leprosy case missed by recent detection efforts, the Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Aringay requested the technical assistance of Provincial Health Office (PHO) in the conduct of an active case-finding of Leprosy in Barangay San Antonio, Aringay, La Union on May 29, 2019.
A case presented itself during the case-finding operations wherein a visual inspection of a male, 66 years old, positive patient revealed the appearance of skin lesions that are lighter than his normal skin, has redness, drooping eyelids and difficulty of closing his left eye, with deformities on upper and lower extremities including buttocks. However, the subject can still flex his hands, raise his feet, and still exhibited strong movements. The patient voluntarily answered questions with the help of his son. Examination of household contact of four members had been done as well and turned out negative.
Since the condition of the patient hindered him to travel for consultation, the MHO decided and ordered the midwife to bring the medications into their home for immediate treatment. The patient was classified as New Case of Multibacillary (MB) Leprosy and resulted to PHO coordinating with the Department of Health for additional medicines. Continuous treatment should be maintained for the MB leprosy patient in order to prevent the spread to his family members and community. The patient and family members were also counseled about leprosy.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a long-term infection by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Initially, a person who is infected does not have symptoms and typically remains this way for 5 to 20 years. Symptoms that develop include granulomas of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. This may result in a lack of ability to feel pain, which can lead to the loss of parts of extremities due to repeated injuries or infection due to unnoticed wounds. Weakness and poor eyesight may also be present. #
