The ‘Black Fungus’ Hurting COVID-19 Patients

Mucormycosis often termed black fungus is now recurring among the Covid-19 patients due to the unhygienic way of delivering oxygen to patients with the indiscriminate use of steroids can be fatal.

Mucormycosis (black fungus) is a rare fungal infection suddenly surging in COVID-19 patients, especially those who are diabetic and under steroid treatment at a mortality rate of 50-85 percent.

It is caused by an exposure to mould called Mucormycetes, present in soil, plants or decaying organic matter via inhalation of Conidia; ingestion and traumatic inoculation.

Mucormycosis (Black Fungal Disease): A Complication of COVID-19
Mucormycosis is spread by spores from the black fungus, Mycormycetes. It mainly affects people with a weak immune system and attacks the lungs and other organs of the body. It is also known as Black Fungal Disease.

‘Costly mistakes in COVID-19 treatment can lead to Mucormycosis or Black fungus.’

Considering Mucormycosis to be an opportunistic infection, it affects people with an impaired immune system due to use of corticosteroids leading to impaired immune function; other immunocompromising conditions, like cancer or transplants and in damaged tissue after trauma or surgery.

Generally, Covid Associated Mucormycosis presents with symptoms of pain and redness around eyes and/or nose; fever; headache; coughing; Shortness of breath; bloody vomits and altered mental status.

In patients with severe COVID, the lungs are damaged and the immune system is suppressed so these fungi grow in airways or sinuses and invade other body tissues like eyes, brain and skin.

Black Fungus Infections on Rise in COVID-19 Patients
Around 100 black fungus or ‘Mucormycosis’ cases were detected in COVID-19 patients in Gujarat and around 8 patients died in Maharashtra due to it.

In the COVID infected population comprising mostly diabetic combined with steroid treatment damaging the tissue and blood vessels in an unhygienic way of delivering oxygen presents more chance for fungus exposure.

In this case, the diagnosis and intervention as early as possible is important. This includes control of blood sugar, urgent removal of dead tissue, and antifungal drug treatment.

Uncontrolled Diabetes: Major Cause of Black Fungus
Uncontrolled diabetes is emerging as the key factor in acquiring black fungus infection or mucormycosis, which is surfacing in COVID-19 patients after recovery, say experts.

Controlling these fungal infections will require increased awareness, better tests to diagnose them early, a focus on controlling diabetes and using corticosteroids wisely, access to timely surgery and antifungal treatment, and more research into prevention.

Haryana Government Informs Black Fungus a Notified Disease
After the surfacing of 27 cases of black fungus, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Saturday said black fungus has been declared a notified disease in the state.

Source-Medindia