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Last updated on April 8th, 2022
Overview of Black Fungus or Mucormycosis
India and the world grappled with multiple waves of COVID-19 in recent times. The first and second COVID waves were when the entire healthcare machinery was taken aback by the emergence of “mucormycosis,” more popularly known as “black fungus.”
According to reports published by the National Institute of Health(NIH), this fungus has infected more than 12,000 people in India. A survey conducted by the University of Manchester reveals that black fungus alone has caused around 20 lakh deaths in India till 2023. Basically, black fungus is a complication caused by COVID-19 disease, but it has way worse implications.
What is Mucormycosis (Black Fungus)?
Black fungus is a very rare infection that occurs when a person is exposed to mucor mould, which is generally found in decaying fruits and vegetables, soil, manure, and plants.
The more dangerous thing is that it is ubiquitous and may be found in air and soil. It can also be found in the nose and mucus of a healthy person. It attacks the sinuses, lungs and the brain.
What are the Symptoms of Mucormycosis?
According to the Care Hospitals website, some symptoms can help you trace mucormycosis infection. Have a look –
- Pain/stiffness in the nose/ nasal blockage
- Inflammation on cheeks
- A fungus patch inside the mouth
- Swelling in the eyelid
- Cough
- Fever
- Headache
- Breathlessness
The patients require very aggressive medical treatment to get rid of symptoms of black fungus. So far, the mortality rate of this infection has been recorded at 50 percent.
Moreover, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the symptoms of mucormycosis may include –
- Sinus pain & nasal blockage on side
- Headache on one side
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Toothache
- Loss Loosening of teeth
The hospitals handling the cases of black fungus in India have also reported some common symptoms of black fungus among the patients. Have a look –
- Blurry vision
- Discoloration or blackening of tissue on the nose and cheeks
- Black lesions inside the mouth
- Black lesion discharge from nose
In most of the cases, the infection has been traced in patients 12-15 days after they recovered from COVID-19 disease. It, however, is also common among people who are already infected with COVID-19.
Summary
The earliest symptoms of black fungus infection arise inside the nose and sinus. If you feel any sort of unusual discomfort in your nose or mouth, you must immediately see a doctor to trace the problem before it gets to the brain.
Read More: Postprandial Blood Sugar(pp) – How to Control Spikes after Meals
Easy Targets For Mucormycosis
According to experts, diabetes patients are the most vulnerable to black fungus. Others who are most at risk include immunosuppressed people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 or suffer from cancer or HIV/AIDS.
Diabetics who are COVID-positive must be kept under proper observation, as controlling their sugar levels is the best preventive measure you can take against this disease, says ICMR.
It can cause lethal bloodstream infection if not treated cautiously.
Causes of Mucormycosis or Black Fungus
Generally, this infection enters a person’s body through fungal spores floating in the environment. However, it can also get into the body through any kind of skin trauma, cut, or burn.
After getting in contact with any body part, this fungus can stick to it and make its way inside the body via the nose, lungs, or sinus. It becomes fatal when it affects the eyes and reaches the brain.
According to the experts, the black fungus started prevailing when COVID-19 patients took medicines at home without keeping their blood sugar levels in check. Some also believe that it started affecting immunosuppressed patients due to their unsanitary post-COVID living conditions.
Mucormycosis cases are also increasing rapidly because people have been overusing cheap steroids to bring the ill effects of COVID-19 under control. These steroids diminish the immune response of the body against other infections like black fungus.
Experts have also claimed that the use of normal tap water in flow meters of oxygen cylinders is also responsible for the spread of black fungus. These cases may also be the result of mold-tainted oxygen pipes and humidifiers.
Noted pulmonologist and Director of AIIMS Delhi, Dr Randeep Guleria, believes that doctors’ immense pressure and people’s panic are also worsening the situation. He said, “Doctors sometimes opt for a knee-jerk reaction, using aggressive medical treatments instead of following the conservative approach.”
Summary
The biggest reason behind the spread of black fungus is improper sanitation during or after recovering from COVID-19. The second biggest cause is the consumption of immunosuppressant drugs or steroids, which patients have overused to control and avoid COVID-19 complications.
Risks Related to Mucormycosis For Diabetic Patients
As we have already discussed, diabetes patients are more vulnerable to black fungus because of their suppressed immune response to all kinds of infections. Hence, it is very important for them to maintain proper sanitation and hygiene to stay safe from this infection.
This infection attacks the nasal area, sinus, teeth, eyes and finally, the brain. Being a diabetic or having uncontrolled blood sugar levels can make it easier for the infection to spread through these body parts quickly and even cause fatality.
Read More: Common Diabetes Medications for controlling your blood sugar levels
Prevention of Mucormycosis For Diabetic Patients
Every diabetes patient must ensure to keep his/her blood sugar level in check at all times. According to the ICMR, the main three preventive steps to be undertaken are:
- Regular cleaning and replacement of humidifiers or oxygen concentration at fixed intervals.
- Sterilised normal saline is to be used in the humidifier and changed on a daily basis.
- Maks used should be sterilised or replaced daily.
If you are suffering from COVID-19, and even if you do not have any major symptoms, you must maintain your hygiene and keep your living area completely clean and sanitised. The other preventive measures include –
- Only patients with hypoxemia should use systemic steroids.
- People with normal oxygen saturation in room air should not use oral steroids.
- If your doctor has prescribed you systemic steroids, you must keep checking your blood sugar levels as often as possible. The dosage and duration of steroid therapy have to be limited to dexamethasone (0.1mg/kg/day) for 5-10 days.
Dosage and duration of steroid therapy has to be limited to dexamethasone (0.1mg/kg/day) for 5-10 days - Using a mask all the time helps lessen the chances of inhaling Mucorales.
- The patient must avoid being near any construction site.
- Once discharged from the hospital after COVID-19 treatment, the patient must closely look for early symptoms of black fungus.
- These early signs include chest pain, nasal blockage, respiratory insufficiency, excessive nose discharge and facial pain.
Summary
Diabetes patients have to be extra cautious to prevent this infection. They must keep a close watch on their blood sugar levels and consult with their doctor to discontinue all types of steroids gradually if they are taking any.
Read More:- Ways to Control Your Diabetes to Live a Healthy Life
Treatment For Mucormycosis or Black Fungus
Mucormycosis used to be a rare disease, but with the second wave of COVID-19, it has turned into an epidemic. It is a fatal disease with a mortality rate of 50 percent. Hence, it is categorised as a medical emergency, which requires a team approach to treat.
It may require the collaboration of an infectious disease specialist, intensivist, ophthalmologist, microbiologist, neurologist, surgeon, ENT specialist, radiologist, histopathologist, etc. It is really important to keep diabetes and diabetes ketoacidosis under control, reduce steroid dependency, and gradually discontinue them if the patient is taking any.
The doctors also have to reduce and gradually discontinue any type of immunosuppressant drugs if the patient is taking any.
Summary
Mucormycosis requires emergency treatment, and it may require a team of doctors to treat the patient. Hence, any discomfort in the nose or mouth must be reported to a doctor immediately.
Takeaway
Black fungus, or mucormycosis, has become an epidemic, and it requires even more caution than COVID-19. It has a 50 percent mortality rate, and many doctors have reported that they had to remove the eye of the patients in a bid to save their lives. Hence, it becomes extremely important to follow all the protocols and preventive measures to keep yourself and your family safe.
Read More:- Tips to Control Your Diabetes to Live a Healthy Life
FAQs:
Where is black fungus found?
Mucormycosis is triggered by a group of mould known as mucormycetes. As per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, these fungi are found in the environment. People used to catch it through soil or decaying plant leaves, rotten wood or compost piles.
Is black fungus contagious?
No, it is not contagious, but it may spread through the fungal spores floating around in the environment.
How does black fungus start?
Generally, it happens because of environmental fungal spores. It can also spread or enter inside a person’s body through any skin trauma, cut or burn injury.
What is black fungus in humans?
Mucormycosis generally affects those who have a weak immune system. It can be traced in a person through blackening or discoloration over the nose, coughing blood, chest pain, blurred or double vision and insufficient respiratory functioning.
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