Can Leprosy Be Contracted Through Skin Contact With An Amputee?

Posted on Thu, 22 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 Answered on

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I have an unusual question to ask.. Today I met a man at work. He has serious mental disability & is somewhat delusional. He suffers from serious mental disorders of some kind. His right hand was deformed. The fingers in his right hand were cut off and not completely developed. He shook my hand & I asked him what happened. He said it he lost his fingers due to frostbite. My concern is what if he was not telling me the truth. What if he suffers from leporasy? Can I be at risk since I shook his hand? What precautions should I take? should I be tested? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding leprosy.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Mycobacterium leprae, which causes leprosy is usually transmitted through the respiratory route from a case who is multibacillary type i.e lepromatous leprosy or borderline lepromatous leprosy. Anyways, it is not transmitted through intact skin of hands. So I don't think there is a risk of infection.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S., Dermatologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj