Transcript Fearful isolations (leprosy) Josh

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Leprosy is a unknown disease to many but
why do so many people fear it and why?
Is it curable? Is it contagious? This
interview is on some facts on leprosy too.
People have heard a lot on leprosy but do
they know it well? Purpose of article is to
let people gain knowledge on leprosy.
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Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious
disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae.
Leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the
peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory
tract; skin lesions are the primary external symptom. Left
untreated, leprosy can be progressive, causing
permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes.
Contrary to popular conception, leprosy does not cause
body parts to simply fall off, and it differs from tzaraath,
the malady described in the Hebrew scriptures and
previously translated into English as leprosy.
Because leprosy can make its victim look unsightly, many
people often shun them which causes isolation of leprosy
victim. This also can cause the victims to suffer
psychologically and have social problems. But leprosy
victims are also humans and should be treated equally.
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Historically, leprosy has affected
humanity since at least 600 BC,
and was well-recognized in the
civilizations of ancient China,
Egypt and India
It is even found in the Old
Testament of the Bible.
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Some medieval sources indicate belief that
those suffering from leprosy were
considered to be going through Purgatory
on Earth, and for this reason their suffering
was considered more holy than the
ordinary person's. More frequently, lepers
were seen to exist in a place between life
and death: they were still alive, yet many
chose or were forced to ritually separate
themselves from mundane existence.
The Bible also says that those who suffer
from leprosy have sinned against God.
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Mycobacterium leprae is the
causative agent of leprosy. An
intracellular, acid-fast bacterium, M.
leprae is aerobic, gram-positive, and
rod-shaped, and is surrounded by
the waxy cell membrane coating
characteristic of Mycobacterium
species.
Development of dapsone, rifampin,
and clofazimine in the 1940s cures
leprosy. ( or rather antibiotics)
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Opinions
1. Have you ever heard of leprosy. If
yes, from where?
2. Do you fear them? Why?
3. Would you find it ok if your child or
you yourself have contact with them?
4. Should lepers be killed
immediately? Why?
5. Do you think they should be
alienated?
6. How will you react if you a leper?
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Factual vs parents opinions
1. Do you think can leprosy be cured?
2. Do you think is it infectious?
3. How do you think leprosy is caused?
4. Where do you think leprosy is
commonly found?
5. How do you think leprosy is spread?
6. How do you think leprosy can be
prevented?
Now let’s see
whether my parents
can get the facts
right.
( I apologise for my mother’s brief
answers as she is not
enthusiastic about this at all)
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Conducting the interview with my
parents was difficult as my mother
was not willing to cooperate at all
and she only gives short answers.
Another difficulties was to think of
suitable interview questions to
successfully bring out the purpose of
the article.
Finding time to complete this
assignment was the biggest difficulty
I faced.
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This project has taught me how to
come up with suitable interview
questions to suit the purpose of the
article. Interviewing is not longer as
easy as I have thought before.
This project has brought to light the
many facts about leprosy that I do
not know before. For example, I did
not know that leprosy has a cure.
If I have the wit and chance, I would like to come up
with a better cure for leprosy so that the leprosy
victims will not suffer so much.
If possible, maybe a prevention of leprosy would be
good too.
Furthermore, I strongly believe that leprosy is partly
caused by unhygienic conditions as leprosy bacteria
strives in this kind of environment. Therefore, in the
future, I would like to take part in community
services and activities to help the less fortunate to
make this world a cleaner place to live in. In this
way, infections of leprosy can be reduced.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lep
rosy
To my mum who was willing to
spend time to be my
interviewee.
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Thank you
Hope you enjoyed!