Highlights:
- Doctors in Delhi are seeing an increase in cases of Mucormycisis.
- Mucormycisis is a fungal infection caused by COVID-19.
- Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 but have comorbidities such as diabetes, kidney or heart failure are more likely to contract the infection.
In patients with coronavirus disease (Covid-19), doctors in Delhi hospitals are documenting an increase in cases of black fungus, a rare fungal infection also known as Mucormycisis. Doctors had previously identified multiple cases of Covid-19-induced infection after at least ten individuals were infected within 15 days.
Manish Munjal, a senior ENT surgeon at Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said that in the last six days, the hospital has seen six cases of mucormycosis. “This dangerous fungal infection, which is triggered by Covid-19, is on the rise once again. Six cases of mucormycosis have been admitted in the last two days. Last year, this deadly infection caused a high rate of mortality, with many patients losing their eyesight and having their noses and jaw bones removed, “PTI, a news agency, reported the story.
As per the doctor, the infection is often commonly seen in patients who are recovering but have comorbidities such as diabetes, kidney or heart disease, or cancer.
One cause of the fungal infection may be the use of steroids in the treatment of Covid-19 patients, the doctor said.
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How dangerous is ‘Black Fungus’ or Mucormycisis?
It’s dangerous but uncommon fungal infection that’s infused by the Coronavirus. In certain cases, infection has led to severe complications and death of patients in transplants and ICUs. It’s a “serious but uncommon infection caused by a group of molds known as mucormycetes.” Mucormycisis has a 50% overall mortality rate, according to an Indian advisory released last year.
According to Munjal, Covid patients with weakened immunity are more vulnerable to this deadly infection.
It cannot be passed from person to person or from person to animal.
Signs and Symptoms:
Face numbness, one-sided nose obstructions, swelling of the eyes, and discomfort are all symptoms of the disease. Cough, fever, and headache are also possible symptoms.
The infection may start at the site of the skin trauma, but it can quickly spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms such as blackened skin tissue, blisters, redness, and swelling should be avoided, according to doctors.
Prevention:
According to Dr.Manish Munjal,”Early clinical suspicion on symptoms including nose obstruction, black crusts in the nose and swelling in the eyes or cheeks could prompt a biopsy and the initiation of antifungal therapy as soon as possible.
In addition, people should avoid coming into close contact with a lot of dust, wear shoes, long pants, and gloves while handling dirt or moss, and clean skin injuries thoroughly with soap and water.
