what are the different types of leprosy?
The Ridley-Jopling system has six classifications based on the severity of symptoms.


**Intermediate leprosy**: a few flat lesions that sometimes heal by themselves and can progress to a more severe type

**Tuberculoid leprosy**: a few flat lesions, some large and numb; some nerve involvement; can heal on its own, persist, or may progress to a more severe type.

**Borderline tuberculoid leprosy**: lesions similar to tuberculoid but smaller and more numerous; less nerve enlargement; may persist, revert to tuberculoid, or advance to another type

**Mid-borderline leprosy**: reddish plaques, moderate numbness, swollen lymph glands; may regress, persist, or progress to another type


**Borderline lepromatous leprosy**: many lesions including flat lesions, raised bumps, plaques, and nodules, sometimes numb; may persist, regress, or progress to another type

**Lepromatous leprosy**: many lesions with bacteria; hair loss; nerve involvement; limb weakness; disfigurement; doesn’t regress
What causes leprosy?
Leprosy is a long term infection by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis.

Fun fact: In medival times many thing was blamed to cause leprosy. Including bathing and eating potatoes.