10 Leprosy Symptoms
Article Sources
- 1. 'Leprosy.' NORD, rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/leprosy
- 2. 'Leprosy.' DermNet NZ, dermnetnz.org/topics/leprosy
- 3. 'Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) Signs and Symptoms.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/leprosy/symptoms/index.html
- 4. 'Leprosy Frequently Asked Questions.' American Leprosy Missions, 9 Mar. 2021, www.leprosy.org/leprosy-faqs
- 5. 'The Impact of Leprosy on the Mental Wellbeing of Leprosy-Affected Persons and Their Family Members - a Systematic Review.' Global Mental Health (Cambridge, England), Cambridge University Press, 9 June 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7379324
Loss of Taste and Smell
The bacteria that causes leprosy affects the peripheral nerves, the skin, the upper respiratory tract and the lining of an individual's nose. The effect on someone's nose could cause a person to lose their sense of taste and smell.
This is likely caused by the lesions on the infected person's taste buds or inside their nose. If an individual is unable to get enough air through their nose due to the lesions, their depleted sense of smell could also affect their sense of taste.
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