Mucor mycosis, or black fungus, among those infected with or recovered from Covid-19 in hospitals across India, has added to the medical community’s woes. Mucor mycosis is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of moulds called ‘Mucoromycetes’. Mucoromycetes live throughout the environment and is ubiquitous in nature. It can affect areas from where it can be inhaled—through the nose/ sinus/ lungs. If it enters from a wound or skin, then it can cause local infection, but if it enters from the sinus, it can affect the eyes and the brain. Poor control of diabetes is the biggest cause for the rising numbers, especially post-Covid.
WHAT IS BLACK FUNGUS?
Black fungus, also known as Mucor mycosis, is a rare but dangerous infection. Black fungus is caused by getting into contact with fungus spores in the environment. It can also form in the skin after the fungus enters through a cut, scrape, burn, or another type of skin trauma. Fungi live in the environment, particularly in soil and decaying organic matter such as leaves, compost piles, rotten wood, and so on. This fungal infection is caused by a type of mold known as ‘micromycetes. It should be noted that this rare fungal infection affects persons who have health issues or who use drugs that weaken the body’s ability to fight the infections.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF BLACK FUNGUS?
This infection occurs because of weakened immunity from an illness. Health conditions that cause Illness:
- COVID-19
- High Sugar
- Steroid
WHAT IS MUCOR?
Mucor is a fungus, Mucormycosis usually affects:
- Nose
- Sinus
- Eyeball
If not diagnosed at the right time, It can easily go into the eyeball from any side, and from there it can go into the brain as well. That’s why this is called ROCM (Rhino Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis).
- Rhino means Nose
- Orbital means Eyeball
- Cerebral means Brain
- Mucormycosis means Species name
Mucor mycosis Symptoms (Black Fungus Symptoms)
- One-sided facial swelling.
- Headache.
- Nasal or Sinus congestion.
- Black lesions on nasal bridge or upper inside or mouth that quickly become more severe.
- Fever
Mucormycosis Symptoms in Nose
- Nasal Congestion
- Stuffy Nose
- Dryness in the Nose
- Nasal Discharge
- Nasal Bleeding
Mucormycosis Symptoms in Palate
- Sensation and Pain in Palate
Patients who get COVID treatment within six weeks are more likely to develop black fungus. Mucor mycosis is a rare but serious fungal infection. While the cases of this infection were relatively fewer, the Covid-19 outbreak has given a boost to the spread of this infection. It is commonly known as black fungus; the infection is now detected among Covid-19 patients across India. With a significant increase in fungal infection cases, the government has mandated that all states have to report suspected and confirmed cases of Mucor mycosis to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Now let’s take a look at what this infection is and why it is caused more frequently among Covid-19 patients. The infection is rare, but once a person is infected, the fungus manifests in the skin or can affect the brain or lungs, many cases of this infection have been reported in Covid-19 patients.
Why is it occurring in COVID-19 patients?
Mucor mycosis can occur after COVID-19 infection, whether during the hospital stay or a few weeks after discharge. The COVID-19 generates a sudden change in the interior environment of the host for the fungus, and the medical treatment administered unknowingly promotes fungal development. COVID-19 causes harm to the airway mucosa and blood vessels. It also causes a rise in serum iron, which is required for the fungus to grow. Broad-spectrum antibiotics not only kill potentially harmful bacteria but also beneficial commensals. Although antifungals such as Voriconazole prevent Aspergillosis, Mucor survives and grows due to a lack of resistance. Long-term ventilation decreases immunity, and there is conjecture that the humidifier water that is delivered along with the oxygen transfers the fungus.
How Black fungus affects non-covid people?
How Black fungus affects non-covid people? Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that primarily affects patients with compromised immune systems, but it can also affect non-covid people. Experts warn if left untreated, this can become dangerous.
TREATMENT OF BLACK FUNGUS
Different specialist doctors’ help is required for Mucormycosis treatment, like ENT, Nephrologist, Physician, and Eye surgeon.
- Treatment starts with Surgery
- High-dose Antifungal medicines are given to Patients
- After the surgery, three to four months of follow-up is required with doctors.
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