Covid-19 is a severe disease caused by the novel coronavirus. India is facing a difficult situation because of the Covid-19 pandemic. A shocking 2nd wave of Covid-19 has caused a huge rise in the cases and the country is continuously reporting over 350,000 new infections daily. But this report is not 100% true as the cases are more than what the government is showing. Now, the long-term consequences of covid-19 medications contribute to unusual infection, which in some circumstances can also be deadly. Covid-19 has already killed millions of people and now covid-19 sufferers in India are experiencing an infection called Black Fungus. Medically known as mucormycosis, it has been reported in over 200 Coronavirus patients across the nation. Mucormycosis causes blindness or other severe health problems and in some cases even death. Here in this blog, we are going to discuss Mucormycosis, its signs, symptoms and risks. So, let’s proceed further-
What is Mucormycosis?
Mucormycosis, also known ad black fungus is an infection caused because of the mucormycetes group of fungi. In natural ecosystems, it is found abundantly in soil, leaves, decayed wood and putrefied manure. It’s a rare infection, but it’s been around us for decades. it only affects people with health problems and substantially weaker immune systems due to the use of steroids.
The increased use of steroids like dexamethasone, particularly in diabetics, is the main reason for the increasing number of cases of mucormycosis in Covid-19 patients. Not all are at risk of black fungus. but uncontrolled and unsupervised use of steroid treatments can also make things worse for non-risk patients.
This serious infection cause darkening of the skin, inflammation, redness, ulcer, fever, and invade the lungs, eyes, and even brain, which proves to be fatal if left untreated. It is also important to consider the root cause, symptoms and effects of mucormycosis in both COVID-19 patients and other individuals and to easily determine potential warning signs. They must be immediately forwarded to the healthcare provider to provide immediate emergency attention and to fully restore the injured person.
Symptoms of Mucormycosis/Black Fungus
Official guidelines are outlined by the Indian Council Of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Ministry Of Health And Family Welfare (MoHFW), for identifying symptoms of Black Fungus. Following the list of symptoms that might be occurring because of Black Fungus.
- Sinusitis, along with nasal tract clogging and the nasal emission of bloody or black mucus
- Pain on one side of the face, cheekbones with loss of sensation
- Persistent pain and headaches
- Delirium, memory loss, neurological impairment, the altered mental state
- Different blackish colour on the Nose Bridge
- Prominent pain in teeth, jawbone and degrading of tooth structures
- Hazy vision, with blurred shapes or double objects, with eye pain
- abnormal blood clotting, skin injury and damage or necrosis of dermal cells
- Further weakening of pulmonary processes, chest pressure, lung excess fluid accumulation, i.e. pleural effusion, and haemoptysis (coughing of blood).
Who is at risk of mucormycosis/Black Fungus?
People who are at higher risk of mucormycosis have-
- Uncontrolled diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis (a diabetes-like complication where the body develops ketones considered dangerous acids)
- Those who for extended periods have received heavy intravenous and oral steroids
- And those receiving immunomodulators (medicines used to alter immune system response in diseases such as cancer)
How To Prevent Mucormycosis/Black Fungus?
If you want to lower your chances of getting Mucormycosis/Black Fungus infection, then follow the steps –
- Ensure personal hygiene through a thorough bath and scrub, particularly after returning home from working or visiting neighbours, family, friends.
- Use facial masks and facial shields in filthy toxic environments
- While coming into contact with dirt, moss and manure as in gardening practices ensure to be fully covered with shoes, long pants, full sleeve shirts and gloves.
- Use steroid after doctor’s prescription only.
How is mucormycosis/Black Fungus treated?
The immediate care plan is to prescribe antifungal drugs, either orally if the infection is still mild, or by injection in more invasive situations, in the patient when the diagnosis of mucormycosis is confirmed. These potent pharmaceutical medications have the potential to target and delay the fungal specimens in the body as well as to curb destructive activities.
A precise prompt diagnosis and urgent medical attention from a team of physicians are the key factors to improve the effectiveness of mucormycosis/black fungus treatment. This ensures that body cells, fungal infections and thwarts are entirely damaged to prevent serious complications and fatal outcomes. And after a patient who was originally positive for corona diabetes with diabetes has tested COVID-19 negative, it is recommended to check blood glucose levels frequently and seek medical attention if blood sugar readings increase at a rapid rate. All cases of mucormycosis should be handled as a medical emergency.
Other pre-existing diseases such as diabetes may be treated with medications to relieve its related symptom. In situations of extreme body tissue damage, operations are done to remove certain fungal balls. Once all remedial steps have been taken, the practitioner will monitor the patient frequently to ensure that mucormycosis/black fungus doesn’t recur after complete healing.
Final words
People with diabetes should take special care of their health. You have to keep yourself prevented against Covid-19 and mucormycosis/black fungus. These both are severe diseases. If not treated timely, they can be fatal. The use of steroid and medications to treat COVID-19 can partly explain the surge in these fungal infections.
Mucormycosis is just one of many occasional infections that can occur with Covid-19. The consequences and the association of COVID-19 with other infections are still largely unclear.
We just want to say that stay safe, wear masks and boost your immune health. Get Covid-19 vaccine jab and keep yourself safe from deadly coronavirus.