Some reports of a rare fungal infection among the COVID-19 patients in India have come out now. Fungal infection is being refer to as ‘Black fungus’ or ‘mucormycosis’ in medical terms. Black fungus is cause by a fungus name mucor which is found on wet surfaces.
This type Cases of mucormycosis are rapidly rising among COVID-19 survivors.
Black fungus cause blindness or serious illness and even death in some cases.
Many mucormycosis patients who have recover from the COVID-19 infection have been found in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
And many of them are suffering from blindness.
In Maharashtra there are eight COVID-19 survivors have died due to mucormycosis while about 200 others are being treated.
How Black Fungus Infects a COVID-19 Patient?
Black Fungus disease is not new but rising among COVID-19 patients in India because of excessive use of steroids elevates sugar levels and some medicines suppress the immunity of these patients resultant to loss of vision and death in some cases.
The Black Fungus infects a COVID-19 patient easily.
Who can infected by Black Fungus?
According to the doctors Black Fungus is present in the environment but those with suppressed immunity or co-morbidities are more vulnerable to its infection.
Black Fungus is happening to people who have diabetes to a large extent.
Also Black Fungus is very uncommon in those who are not diabetic.
Symptoms of Black Fungus
Symptoms of Black Fungus include pain and redness around the eyes and nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits and altered mental status.
Treatment of Black Fungus
A one who is infect by Black Fungus generally needs a type of injection for 21 days.
The basic cost of this injection is around Rs 9,000 per day.
What does ICMR Said :
Advisory which was prepare by the Union Health Ministry and ICMR which is evidence-base call for screening, diagnosis and management of the disease.
Government said mucormycosis is a fungal infection that mainly affects people who are on medication that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens.
Sinuses or lungs of such individuals get affect after fungal spores are inhale from the air.
What to DO?
- Control hyperglycemia
- Monitor blood glucose level post COVID-19 discharge and also in diabetics
- Always use steroid at correct timing, correct dose and duration
- Also use clean, sterile water for humidifiers during oxygen therapy
- Always use antibiotics/antifungals judiciously
What NOT to DO?
- Do not take easy signs and symptoms
- Also do not consider all the cases with blocked nose as cases of bacterial sinusitis, particularly in the context of immunosuppression and/or COVID-19 patients on immunomodulators
- Do not hesitate to seek aggressive investigations as appropriate for detecting fungal etiology
- Please do not lose crucial time to initiate treatment for mucormycosis
Medical treatment includes installing peripherally inserted central catheter which maintain adequate systemic hydration, infusion of normal saline intravenously before Amphotericin B infusion and anti-fungal therapy for at least 6 weeks besides monitoring patient clinically with radio imaging for response and to detect disease progression.
WARNING : If the problem isn’t solved by lifestyle changes alone then don’t hesitate to consult a doctor as this article is for knowledge base.
THANK YOU FOR READING.
