Contents
1. What is Black Fungus?
2. What are its causes?
3. What are its symptoms?
4. What are the treatments?
5. Who is more vulnerable to this disease?
6. What is the death rate?
What is Black Fungus?
Black fungus infection is also called Mucormycosis. It spreads due to a fungus called Mucor. This infection always exists in the environment but the covid gave rise to it. If it goes into the human body through the nose is affects the lungs, eyes, and brain badly, and if it comes in contact with skin it causes a simple infection like any other.
What are its causes?
Mucormycosis spores are found in soil, air, and even in food. But it was not a deadly infection before the advent of COVID-19.
Dr. Randeep Guleria said the misuse of steroids is causing this black fungus infection. He requested doctors to follow the protocols of infection control practices at hospitals. As patients are dying more due to fungal and bacterial infections.
But steroids are given to patients for years and no such severe infection spread. The sudden outbreak of the black fungus infection is caused due to dirty and careless way of keeping and delivering oxygen.
The oxygen cylinders are cleaned and disinfected before use. The patient requires humidification when oxygen is given at high flow. Sterile water is used for this purpose. This water needs to be changed regularly in some time, if not then it is a big cause of the black fungus.
The high intake of steroids facilitates the replication of the virus as steroids are not for killing the virus but for reducing its effects on the human body. Patients who are diabetic are more vulnerable to black fungus infection, as the steroids can increase their sugar levels and expose them to this deadly infection.
What are its symptoms?
When it attacks the sinus and brain i.e rhinocerebral (sinus and brain) mucormycosis the symptoms are :
- One-sided facial swelling
- Headache
- Nasal or sinus congestion
- Black lesions on the nasal bridge or upper inside of the mouth that quickly become more severe
- Fever
When it attacks lungs i.e pulmonary (lung) mucormycosis
- Fever
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
When it comes in contact with skin i.e Cutaneous (skin) mucormycosis
The symptoms are blisters or ulcers, and the infected area may turn black. Other symptoms include pain, warmth, excessive redness, or swelling around a wound.
Gastrointestinal mucormycosis symptoms
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
Disseminated mucormycosis
It typically occurs in people who are already sick from other medical conditions, so it can be difficult to know which symptoms are related to mucormycosis. Patients with disseminated infection in the brain can develop a mental status change or coma.
What are the treatments?
DO NOT TRY ANY HOME REMEDY FOR THIS.
Mucormycosis is a serious infection and needs to be treated using intravenous anti-fungal medicine, followed by oral anti-fungal medicines. In more serious cases, surgery is required.
Who is more vulnerable to this disease?
The diabetic patients who are suffering from COVID-19 and being given steroids have a high chance of being affected by mucormycosis.
What is the death rate?
Among COVID-19 patients in India, rhinocerebral mucormycosis, which starts in the sinuses and can spread to the brain, has been the most common form of infection. This type of infection has a mortality rate of 46 percent, while those with mucormycosis that has spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body have a death rate of 96 percent, according to the CDC.
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