question: Dear Dr., I want some information about the Leprosy disease. When I go out, I often see beggars who are suffering from Leprosy(skin lesions or deformed fingers and toes). I am concerned whether there is any risk of contracting the disease from them. Please give me detailed information about what is the risk of getting this disease. Also, can this disease be contracted by touching object which could have been contaminated like door handles, etc.? Can it be contracted from the ground or soil?