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Mucormycosis Fungal Disease: What Are the New Red Signs in India About?

| Critical Care
Mucormycosis Fungal Disease: What Are the New Red Signs in India About?

There is a lot of chaos and disturbance within the nation; the second wave of Coronavirus has caused many lives to end, and a bigger section of the masses has been pushed down to severe levels of poverty.

When all this is going on in the country and there is a long way to attain stability, there is another blow of the danger sirens, ‘Mucormycosis, the Black Fungus’.

What is Mucormycosis: the Black Fungus?

As India struggles with a deadly second wave of Covid-19, there appear cases of a rare fungal infection called mucormycosis in several states throughout the country. Also known as black fungus, it is a serious infection caused by a group of molds known as micromycetes. In this infection, there are a few subgroups of fungi like Rhizopus, Mucor and Rhizomucor that actively involve in causing the disease. They invade the surrounding blood vessels and destroy them resulting in tissue necrosis which leads to death.    

What are its causes?

According to the researches done so far, mucormycosis causes include the unhygienic way of delivering oxygen to patients in many places combined with the improper use of steroids in the treatment of Covid. It is also being caused by the overuse of medicines ranging from antibiotics to zinc supplements and iron tablets.

What are the symptoms of Mucormycosis?

The symptoms of Mucormycosis one might experience are listed below:

  • Nasal blockage
  • Bleeding/discharge from the nose
  • Black fungus patches inside the mouth
  • Bulged eyeballs
  • Loss of movements of the eyeballs
  • Double vision
  • Pain and redness in the eyes
  • Blindness
  • If the brain is invaded by the fungus, the blockage of blood vessels can cause stroke, haemorrhages, etc.
  • Headache, drowsiness, weakness of limbs, etc.

The semblance between Black Fungus and Covid-19 is high because of relatively similar symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

Is Black Fungus contagious?

Fortunately, it’s not contagious; doesn’t spread from one person to the other.

Why India is at a greater risk?

Black Fungus disease has a high mortality rate; it preys on patients with weakened immune system and underlying conditions, particularly diabetes, along with irrational usage of steroids. Both of these factors are widely being observed in the country and therefore, we are at a higher risk of damage.

How to prevent the occurrence of Black fungus?

For Black Fungus prevention, there are multiple precautionary measures one needs to take even when in the hospital and also after getting discharged for at least a couple of weeks.

In hospital:

  • The hygiene and cleanliness must be properly maintained
  • While administering oxygen, water for humidification must be sterile and there must be no leakage from the humidifier.
  • Usage of steroids must be very limited, not more than necessary
  • Blood glucose must be strictly controlled
  • Unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and anti-fungals should be strictly prohibited as well.

At home, after getting discharged:

  • Avoid going outdoors into public places
  • Maintain oral and nasal hygiene
  • Make sure your surroundings are clean, free from dust and dampness
  • Wear mask and sanitise regularly

Take proper care of yourself along with your family; it won’t only help you but all the doctors, healthcare workers and the complete nation at large, as each life matters.

The Signature Hospital wishes you a safe journey ahead from Mucormycosis Fungal disease!

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