Black Fungus, also known as Mucormycosis, is a deadly fungal infection that is being detected in many Covid19 infected people during the second wave of the pandemic in India. It is being linked with people who have an existing disease or chronic problems, mainly those with diabetes. Other than this, people who stayed in the Intensive Care United (ICU) for a longer period are also found to have Black Fungus. Cases of Black Fungus have been steadily rising throughout the country which has put the government on high alert. The government has set up an advisory panel and has been disseminating information through it regarding Black Fungus. The advisory said that the fungal infection mainly affects people who are on medication that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens.
Here is what we know about the dreaded Black Fungus:
What is Black Fungus?
• Murcormycosis, or Black Fungus, is a dangerous fungal infection that is caused by mucormycetes that are present naturally in our environment.
• It is a rare disease and is usually found in people with pre-existing illness along with Covid.
• It only causes serious implication to patients with a history of severe health-related problems or has taken medication that compromises the immunity system.
• Black Fungus can be caught by a normal patient too but it's not fatal.
• The mucormycete cells usually attack the sinus and hence enter the human body through inhalation and affect the lungs. But they can also enter through a cut or wound and infect the skin.
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Symptoms:
• Initial symptoms generally range from pain and redness in the eyes and nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits and altered mental status, stated the government advisory.
• Other symptoms, mainly found in people with diabetic problems and covid on top of it, sinusitis, nasal blockage or congestion, some-side facial pain or numbness, blackish discolouration over the bridge of the nose or palate, Toothache, blurred or double vision with pain, skin lesion, thrombosis, chest pain and worsening respiratory symptoms.
• Major risk factors for this disease include uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression by steroids, prolonged ICU stay, malignancy and voriconazole therapy, the ICMR-health ministry advisory stated.
Is there any treatment?
• Yes, Black Fungus can be treated through medical help. It is usually treated with anti-fungal drugs but in some cases, can require surgery.
• As per experts, controlling diabetes is of utmost importance, reduce steroid use and discontinue immunomodulating drugs.
• As per the government advisory, medical treatment includes installing peripherally inserted central catheter, maintaining adequate systemic hydration, infusion of normal saline intravenously before Amphotericin B infusion and anti-fungal therapy for at least six weeks besides monitoring the patient clinically with radio imaging for response and to detect disease progression.
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Is there a prevention route?
• Yes, and it has to do with the blood glucose level.
• To prevent the disease, blood glucose level should be monitored post-Covid discharge and also in diabetic patients; steroids should be used judiciously incorrect timing, dose and duration; clean sterile water should be used in humidifiers during oxygen therapy, and antibiotics and antifungal medicines should be used correctly.
• This disease can be controlled by monitoring diabetes problems.
