Black fungus infection: Causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention
As per reports, the number of people dying from black fungus is steadily increasing. Experts are calling it a 'pandemic within COVID-19 pandemic'. From causes to treatment, here is all you need to know about black fungus infection.
What is black fungus infection?
As per the Ministry of Health, the infection is getting detected amongst people recovering or recovered from COVID-19. People prone to the infection are the ones undergoing oxygen therapy in ICU, where a humidifier is used, which makes people more prone to infection due to exposure to moisture.
The use of ordinary tap water in the flow meters of the oxygen cylinders is also blamed for fungal infection. Cases can also be triggered by "mould-tainted oxygen piper and humidifiers".
Who is at risk?
Not just this, weak immune system, too much steroid consumption, voriconazole therapy and diabetes also put patients at greater risk of infection.
The cases of black fungus has been detected in Karnataka, Uttrakhand, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana, among others. Rajasthan has already declared the disease as an epidemic.
Some doctors believe that black fungus took root when patients were given at -home COVID treatment without bringing the blood sugar levels under control.
What causes mucormycosis?
Black fungus infection is a very rare infection. It is caused by exposure to mucor mould, which is generally found in soil, plants, manure, decaying fruits and vegetables. It is even found in the air and nose and mucus of healthy people, say experts.
The infection can affect the sinuses, brain and lungs. If not treated on time, it can be life-threatening. It's even dangerous for people suffering from diabetes, cancer or HIV/AIDS.
Symptoms of black fungus
Common symptoms of black fungus include discolouration of the nose and tongue, blurry vision, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing along with blood, redness in the eyes, fever, cough, headache, black lesion inside the mouth and vomiting.
Black fungus treatment
Amphotericin-B injection is the prime treatment for the treatment of this fungal infection. The injection is an antifungal medicine. If infected, the patient has to be kept under the strict supervision of eye surgeons, ENT specialists and neurosurgeons as the infection affects different parts of the body simultaneously.
As a part of the life-saving procedures, all the infected tissues should be surgically removed. Hence, some people even end up losing their eyesight and in some cases even the upper jaw.
Patients might even require an intravenous anti-fungal procedure spanning four to six weeks.
Dos of black fungus
Control high blood sugar levels
Monitoring blood sugar level regularly post-recovery
Use clean, sterile water in the humidifier for oxygen therapy
Use steroids and antifungal medicines only when prescribed by the doctor
Don'ts of black fungus
Do not overlook the symptoms of black fungus
Do not take blocked nose lightly mainly after getting recovered from COVID-19
Do not think twice about getting done any investigation if suggested by the doctor
How risky is the condition?
The fatality rate in mucormycosis cases is very high. The mortality is as high as 80 per cent if goes untreated. If treated, it is still 40-50 per cent. If the infection is detected at the sinus stage, the patient recovers easily.