Black Fungus in Covid-19 Patient: Disease, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment

 WHAT IS BLACK FUNGUS?

Mucormycosis or Black Fungus is a serious but rare fungal infection due to a rare killer fungus called Mucor which exists in the environment, often found on wet surfaces. It is seen in the form of blackish moulds. People get mucormycosis by coming in contact with the fungal spores in the environment. The fungus causes the disease that has now been linked to the airborne COVID-19 infection. The infection first came to light during the first 'wave' of the pandemic. It was previously known as zygomycosis.

It is mainly affects people who are on medication for health problems that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens. Lungs of such individual get affected after they inhale fungal spores from the air.

Doctors believe mucormycosis, which has an overall mortality rate of 50%, may be being triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill Covid-19 patients.

Steroids reduce inflammation in the lungs for Covid-19 and appear to help stop some of the damage that can happen when the body's immune system goes into overdrive to fight off coronavirus. But they also reduce immunity and push up blood sugar levels in both diabetics and non-diabetic Covid-19 patients.

It's thought that this drop in immunity could be triggering these cases of mucormycosis.

"Diabetes lowers the body's immune defences, coronavirus exacerbates it, and then steroids which help fight Covid-19 act like fuel to the fire," says Dr Nair.

* WHY COVID PATIENTS GETTING THIS DISEASE-

Usually fungus and all organisms are everywhere around us:-

* But when individuals immunity is low like Diabetes/ immuno compromised states were our bodies immunity is low these fungus enter our body as they provide perfect environment for its growth

* So in covid with usage of steroids and disease related uncontrolled blood sugar levels also in covid related undiagnosed diabetes

* Also with usage of mask , oxygen humidifiers and ventilators all hospital equipment which are not properly sanitized or disinfected can lead to fungus growth

* also in covid serum iron levels decrease but intracellular iron levels increase so post covid these intracellular cells undergo apoptosis leading to release of iron stores and along with acidic ph helps fungus to grow.

WARNING SIGNS / SYMPTOMS OF FUNGAL INFECTION:-

* Redness around the eyes or nose

* Swelling under eyes

* Fever, Headache, Cough

* Shortness of breath, bloody vomits

* Runny Nose/ Nasal discharge ( blackish, bloody)

* Blackish discoloration over bridge of nose

* Local pain on the cheek bone

* One side facial pain

* Chest pain

* Partial loss of eyesight

PREVENTION:-

* Avoid visiting dusty areas or wear masks if you are visiting dusty areas

* Maintain personal hygiene 

* Eat healthy food

* Wear long sleeves, trousers, etc.

* Don`t wear wet mask , don`t repeat it again and again

* Take good care of your health

TREATMENT:-

Mucormycosis or Black fungus needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medicine. In some cases, it require surgery, it can lead to eventual loss of the upper jaw and sometimes even an eye.