Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus infection is increasing among the COVID patients. The National COVID Task Force recently issued an advisory against Mucormycosis.
Mucormycosis
- The disease mainly affects the skin, lungs and brain.
- It is rare. But has been increasing among COVID patients in Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- It is caused by a group of molds called Mucoromycetes.
- It mainly affects people who are on medication.
- The lungs or sinuses of the recovering COVID patients get affected after they inhale fungal spores from the air.
- It is not a major threat to those with a healthy immune system.
Symptoms
- It causes redness around the eyes, nose.
- Also, the person suffers from headache, fever, bloody vomits, shortness of breath, altered mental status.
- Mucormycosis is suspected when a person suffers from sinusitis, local pain on cheek bone, blackish discoloration over bridge of nose, chest pain, thrombosis, plural effusion, necrosis, blurred vision, etc.
Treatment
Mucormycosis might lead to loss of eyes or upper jaws. Such patients might require a surgery! The treatment of Mucormycosis includes infusion of saline, Amphotericin and other anti-fungal therapies.
What did the Task Force say?
The COVID Task Force has recommended to control hyperglycemia after discharge. Their blood glucose level should be monitored after discharge.
Why are COVID patients susceptible to Mucormycosis?
The immunity level of a person recovering from COVID-19 is very low. The Mucoromycetes easily affects persons with very low immunity levels. It is especially common among COVID patients who are treated with steroids to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is a condition where a part of the body is swollen, reddened and is often painful due to an infection or reaction to injury.