Black Fungus (Mucormycosis)

What is 'Black fungus' (Mucormycosis) ?

Mucormycosis, sometimes called black fungus is a rare and deadly fungal infection, generally in people with weak immune system. There are three types of mucormycosis or black fungus. All three types are equally dangerous but what exactly is this infection. The infection is caused by a group of molds which live freely in the environment particularly in soil, wet surfaces and decaying organic matter. People get infected when they come in contact with these fungal molds.

In pre covid times this infection was quite rare around the world but since the pandemic cases have increased due to complications related to the virus in India only a few cases were reported in New Delhi last year but now the new virus mutant is driving a surge in black fungus infections across the country. Cases are being reported at hospitals in New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu who is getting infected or is likely to be infected.

According to the Indian council of medical research four kinds of people those who used steroids during their covid 19 treatment, thus lowering their immunity, those who had prolonged stays at hospital ICUs and are yet to recover, those with diabetes or a history of kidney and heart failure and those who are on medication for major health problems that reduces their ability to fight pathogens are more infected due to this infection. 

Signs & Symptoms 

The infection typically starts growing from the nose, upper jaw and travels to the brain. Experts say once it reaches the brain it's almost a death sentence. Its symptoms are earliest pain under the eyes, one-sided facial swelling, nasal or sinus congestion, black lesions on nasal bridge, stuffy or bleeding nose, tooth ache or loosening teeth and partial loss of vision.

How do you protect yourself ?

In order to protect yourself from such an infection experts advise the following steps : Wear a mask at all times. Wear shoes, long trousers and preferably gloves. If you step out into a park or for gardening then maintain personal hygiene including a scrub bath. How the black fungus be cured ? That's the big challenge as its treatment involves surgically removing all dead and infected tissues and administering a course of anti-fungal therapy. But the drugs used for this therapy are expensive and in short supply the basic cost of even an antifungal injection is around 9 000 rupees per day at a time.  Remember that prevention is our best defense.

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