What is mucormycosis or “black fungus” in Covid-19 patients?

Mucormycosis (previously zygomycosis), a rare but serious fungal infection, is affecting some COVID-19 patients. The disease manifests in the skin, affects lungs and brain, and can lead to loss of the upper jaw or eye. if’s been declared a notified disease in Haryana, the national COVID-19 task force has issued an advisory, and the Union health ministry has asked states/UT s to declare Black Fungus as an epidemic

who is at risk?

Infection is caused by mucormycetes, a group of molds/fungus abundant in environment. It mainly affects sinuses/lungs of people with health problems or on medicines which lower body’s ability to fight germs/sickness, including those with diabetes, cancer, organ transplant, hospitalised or recovering CoVID-19 patients (treated with steroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs)

Sympyoms

Pain, redness around eyes and/or nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits, and altered mental status. Warning signs: toothache, loosening of teeth, blurred or double vision with pain, sinusitis (nasal blockade or blackish/bloody discharge), cheekbone or one-sided facial pain or swelling, blackish discoloration of nose bridge/palate, thrombosis, skin lesion, chest pain

Prevention

Use masks if you are visiting dusty construction sites. Wear shoes, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts and gloves while gardening. Maintain personal hygiene (scrub bath). Control diabetes, monitor blood glucose level after COVID-19 treatment discharge, reduce steroid use, discontinue immunomodulating drugs, hydrate adequately

Treatment

Some cases require surgery. For others, respiratory-tract-fluid samples may be tested, tissue biopsy or CT scan (lungs/sinuses) may be conducted. Normal saline (IV) infusion is given before 4-6 weeks of antifungal Amphotericin B dose (3-4 mg per kg of body weight per day), which is out of stock or in short supply with pharmacies/distributors

#stay home stay safe