While India is still fighting hard against COVID-19, a new pandemic has already started to take shape in the country “BLACK FUNGUS”. People who are recovering from the serious case of coronavirus are at high risk of getting infected with black fungus. To this day more than 7000 people have been infected and 220 people have already lost their lives to this disease. So what do we know about black fungus?
Mucormycosis or black fungus is not a new disease. It is also known as the opportunist virus as it attacks people whose immune system has already been compromised. Black fungus is a virus caused by a group of molds known as mucormycetes. It is known as a black fungus because it causes blackening over the patient's nose, face and eyes. Black fungus is easily treatable if it is diagnosed early.
Symptoms of black fungus or Mucormycetes vary based upon where the fungus is growing.
Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis(Sinus and Brain)
● Face Swelling(one side)
● Headache
● Blockage in nasal or sinus
● Fever
Pulmonary Mucormycosis(Lung)
● Fever
● Chest pain
● Shortness of breath
● Coughing blood
Eye
● Blurred vision
● Double vision
● Discolouration over nose
Black fungus is not a common disease, it is quite rare. But people with weak immune systems have a high risk of getting mucormycosis. Some people who have a high risk of infection from black fungus are.
● Diabetic
● Had a recent organ transplant
● Cancer patients
● Long term steroid users
● Drug addicts
● Low birth weight or prematurity
● Iron overloaded in blood
NO, black fungus is not contagious between humans or between humans and animals.
People who are recovering from covid-19 in India are getting infected with mucormycosis or black fungus because during the treatment of coronavirus patients are given lots of steroids that results in a weak immune system and make them a perfect host for black fungus. If black fungus is not treated in its early stages then it can be fatal to humans. That is why it is always advised that don't take any steroids unless very necessary and advised by a professional healthcare person.
Treatment for mucormycosis includes recognizing the condition in infected patients rapidly, eliminating all contaminated tissue through a medical procedure and circling back to an antifungal infusion called Amphotericin B. The infusion costs 3,000 rupees ($40) in India. It must be regulated each day for 21 to 42 days. States, for example, Mumbai are currently making the infusions accessible free at public medical clinics since their cases are rising.
Mucormycosis or Black fungus may be a deadly disease but it has treatment and can easily be cured if it gets diagnosed in the early stages. Live a healthy life and stay safe. We hope that you find this blog helpful. If you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to let us know in the comment box below.
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