leprosy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leprosy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, often in medical or historical contexts. An example: "In ancient times, leprosy was often misunderstood and stigmatized." Alternative expressions include "Hansen's disease" and "chronic skin disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Past media campaigns have been successful in shifting opinions on both leprosy and HIV affliction.

The Guardian

In the resulting piece, Scalfari quoted the pope as discussing the "leprosy" of clerical child abuse, apparently saying: "Many of my aides … reassure me with reliable figures that estimate paedophilia within the church at the level of 2%.

The Guardian

"The court is the leprosy of the papacy".

The New York Times

"As far as I am concerned," he thundered during a televised speech in February, "LGBT can only stand for leprosy, gonorrhoea, bacteria and tuberculosis".

The Economist

By 2005 India had all but declared victory in its battle against the disease, reporting that it had fewer than one case of leprosy per 10,000 people.

The Economist

Leprosy attacks the nerves and skin, leaving behind scaly scabs.

The Economist

Every day the neighbouring towns buy 850 litres of milk from its dairy, which is run by cured leprosy patients who tend the cattle.

The Economist

There is, however, a fear that having allowed the deadline to slip once, the project's momentum may be lost and even that the eventual result may be worse than if no grand plans had been laid in the first place.Immodest proposalsThe WHO originally accepted the idea of "eliminating" leprosy because in 1989 a symposium of experts decided that eradicating the disease was not feasible.

The Economist

Funding bodies assumed that basic research into leprosy was becoming irrelevant, since the problem was being solved where it counted in the field.

The Economist

The Hansen in question, a 19th-century Norwegian doctor, did not, of course, recognise leprosy for the first time the usual reason to dub an illness after an individual.

The Economist

It has reduced the number of people with the disease from more than 5m to less than 1m, and eliminated leprosy from 98 countries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If your focus is on the causative agent, use "Mycobacterium leprae" to highlight the scientific perspective.

Common error

Don't perpetuate outdated stereotypes or myths about "leprosy". Emphasize that it's a curable disease and that those affected deserve compassion and respect.

Linguistic Context

"Leprosy" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It's often used in medical, historical, and social contexts to discuss the disease, its impact, and efforts to combat it, as Ludwig AI suggests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "leprosy", also known as Hansen's disease, is a noun referring to a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used. While widely used in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, using "Hansen's disease" is preferred for sensitivity. Alternative terms like "Mycobacterium leprae infection" are scientifically precise. Be mindful of stigma and emphasize that leprosy is curable. The high expert rating (4.5) reflects the phrase's correctness, authoritative sourcing, and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hansen's disease

This is the modern medical term for leprosy, offering a less stigmatized alternative.

Mycobacterium leprae infection

This phrase refers to the specific bacterial infection that causes leprosy.

chronic granulomatous disease

This describes the type of inflammation associated with leprosy.

infectious skin condition

This is a broader term that encompasses leprosy as one example.

peripheral neuropathy linked to M. leprae

This specifies the nerve damage caused by the bacteria.

ancient disease

This highlights the historical aspect of leprosy, known for existing since ancient times.

neglected tropical disease

This classification refers to diseases, including leprosy, that affect impoverished regions.

treatable bacterial infection

This emphasizes the possibility of curing leprosy with antibiotics.

dermatological affliction

This describes the skin-related aspect of leprosy.

chronic infectious disease

This is a general term describing long-term infections, encompassing leprosy.

FAQs

What is another name for "leprosy"?

Another name for "leprosy" is "Hansen's disease", which is often preferred to reduce stigma.

How is "leprosy" treated?

"Leprosy" is treated with multidrug therapy (MDT), which is highly effective in curing the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent disabilities.

Is "leprosy" highly contagious?

"Leprosy" is not highly contagious. It requires prolonged, close contact with an untreated person to transmit the disease. Most people have natural immunity.

What are some common misconceptions about "leprosy"?

Common misconceptions include that "leprosy" is highly contagious, incurable, and causes body parts to fall off. In reality, it's curable, not very contagious, and disabilities are preventable with early treatment.