MUCORMYCOSIS
CONTEXT
A number of Covid-19 patients are developing a serious fungal infection known as Mucormycosis also called black fungus.
MORE ABOUT MUCORMYCOSIS
Mucormycosis (zygomycosis) is a serious, potentially deadly fungal infection that’s infrequently diagnosed.
It mainly affects people who are on medication for health problems that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens
Sinuses or lungs of such individuals get affected after they inhale fungal spores from the air
Doctors in some states have noted a rise in cases of mucormycosis among people hospitalized or recovering from Covid 19, with some requiring urgent surgery.
It has 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.
Usually, mucormycetes does not pose a major threat to those with a healthy immune system.
Transmission
It occurs through inhalation, inoculation, or ingestion of spores from the environment.
Mucormycosis does not spread between people or between people and animals.
Symptoms
These include pain and redness around eyes and/or nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits, and altered mental status.
Warning signs can include toothache, loosening of teeth, blurred or double vision with pain.
Prevention
Avoiding areas with a lot of dust like construction or excavation sites, avoiding direct contact with water-damaged buildings and flood water after hurricanes and natural disasters and avoiding activities that involve close contact to soil.
Treatment
Mucormycosis needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medicine.
In some cases, it can require surgery.