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Leprosy, also called Hansens disease, is a chronic (chronic diseases often cause long-term physical and social effects), mildly contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a slow-multiplying bacterium. Dr Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen of Norway identified the bacterium that causes leprosy, way back in 1873. Most commonly, the disease affects the skin, peripheral nerves, lining of the nose, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, small bones and the eyes. As the bacteria causing leprosy multiply slowly, leprosy has a relatively long incubation period (the time between infection and appearance of the first symptom) of five to 10 years. Symptoms may not appear for as long as 20 years. Leprosy can affect people of any age or sex, including children; but it is not hereditary.