Black Fungus - A hurdle to the Indian Spectrum of hope

Also known as Mucormycosis, Black Fungus is a condition caused by fungal contamination. The term Mucormycosis is widely apted to specify infections caused by molds belonging to the group Mucormycetes.

Mucromycosis - Microscopic view

This disease, though often considered pernicious, is rare throughout the world. In the recent times, a spike in the number of cases has been observed in India, out of which most of the patients are affected in their Post-Covid period.

What is the relation between Covid-19 and Black Fungus?

Under ordinary circumstances, our body has the capability to combat such fungal infections. However, Due to Covid-19, our immunity is severely affected thus, making us vulnerable to other ailments as well.

Medical professionals have stated many factors for the rise of this disease in India, particularly in Post-Covid Patients.

One of them being the use of Steroid Drugs in the treatment of Covid-19, which suppress our body’s ability to tackle down contagions. When given inappropriate doses, they may cause negative effects on patients.

Healthcare workers have also reported that use of humidifiers in Oxygen Therapy to treat critical patients may also be the cause of contamination of this menace, as fungi thrive in moisture.

“Unwashed and repeatedly re-used masks can also be the cause of the spread of this disease” said Dr. P.S Chandra, Neurosurgeon at the All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi (AIIMSD) in an Interview with The Hindustan Times. (Link to the same is available in the bibliography section)

Families of patients in India crying
over the death of their loved ones

Who are at a higher risk for Black Fungus?

People with Diabetes especially with uncontrollable blood sugar levels are at a significantly higher risk than non-diabetic patients rather, the infection is quite uncommon in non-diabetic patients. India being the “Diabetic Capital” of the world, is much more susceptible to this disease than other countries.

Patients with Co-morbidities or with a recent Organ or Stem Cell transplant are also at an increased risk of being infected with this menace as was stated in the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of The Government of India.

Cancer patients, undergoing chemotherapy, are also said to be at risk.

“Patients with immunosuppressive drugs or any anti-inflammatory drugs like glucocorticoids are at a higher risk as well” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in an interview with “The Hindu” on their YouTube Platform (Link to the same is provided at the end)

Patients with uncontrollable sugar
levels are at a higher risk

What are the symptoms of Black Fungus?

In most of the cases observed as of now, the following symptoms were among the prominent ones :-

· Nasal and/or Sinus Blockage

· Swelling in and around the eye area

· Blurred or Partial vision or difficulty in viewing. There are also reported cases of complete blindness

· Loose Tooth/Decolourisation of tooth/Toothache

· Headache, Fever and Nausea

· Legions or small patches around the nasal area

Black Fungus affects Sinal regions in
most of the cases as of now

Prevention of Mucormycosis

Medical Professionals have said that many of their patients who have been affected by this menace often wear Unwashed masks for long periods of time or are unhyegenic in general.

Dr. Suresh Singh Naruka, An Otolaryngologist (ENT) from Delhi has also said that “Steroids are the primary cause of this disease” as mentioned in a DNA India’s write-up on Black Fungus and Its Precautionary Measures.

This does not mean that steroids always cause this disease or are solely responsible for it.

Contact an ENT Specialist or an Opthalmologist if you have any of the symptoms as stated above and strictly adhere to the treatment mentioned by them.

We are in this together and we will be overcoming this together too!

INDEX :

Mucromycetes : A group of Fungi which cause Mucormycosis. They are usually found in soil, manure or other organic matters.

Humidifiers : Appliances that add moisture to the air. In ventilators, these devices are used to maintain Homeostasis (regulation of a constant temperature) of the airway.

Co-morbidity : The presence of one disease simultaneously with another, in a patient. Such patients are known as “Co-Morbid” Patients.

Chemotherapy : Treatment in which drugs are used against cancer cells to cure or lessen the effect of cancer and lower the chances of its return

Sinuses : Small air sockets in the skull region connected to the nasal cavity