Black fungus or Mucormycosis is a deadly fungal infection. The disease is common in suffering from COVID-19 and diabetes who have a prolonged ICU stay.
Black fungus primarily affects the lungs and brains of the patients. Cases of this deadly fungus are on the rise. The fungal disease affects people who are on medication because it reduces immunity to environmental pathogens, reported the advisory.
What is Black fungus?
Black fungus is a rare but deadly fungal infection caused by mucromycetes-molds that are present in the environment.
Who can get it?
The disease has grave complications in patients with pre-existing health issues as a result patients with uncontrolled diabetes, immunosuppression, malignancy, etc are at high risk.
How does black fungus infect?
The fungus spreads through spores inhaled. Once inhaled, they infect the lungs and sinus. (https://vallartainfo.com/) They can also enter the body through open wounds or cuts and infect the skin.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms like redness around the eye and nose, eye pain, headache, fever, shortness of breath, excessive coughing, etc are the warning signs
Patients with COVID-19 might face the following symptoms:
- Sinusitis
- Nasal congestion or blockage
- Chest pain
- Facial pain or numbness on one side
- Toothache
- Skin lesions
- Blackish discoloration on the nose bridge
- Blurred or double vision, accompanied by pain
- Thrombosis
- Severe respiratory symptoms
What are the prevention methods to follow?
Maintaining blood sugar levels is important for patients with comorbidities. The use of humidifiers for oxygen therapy is necessary. Patients using immunosuppressive drugs and steroids must consult their doctors to reduce dosage or stop them. Low levels of natural immunity can increase the chances of black fungus infections.
Treatment
It is treated with anti-fungal drugs. Patients who have experienced severe symptoms need surgery. Patients may also get a central catheter inserted. Controlling diabetes along with reducing the use of immunosuppressive drugs and steroids is very important. Patients might need radio imaging for further damage assessment and treatment.