Black Fungus in covid patients

 Mucormycosis or black fungus is an opportunistic fungal infection that is rare but serious.

This fungus is common in the environment but people get infected by inhaling the fungal spores.

It most commonly affects the sinuses or the lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air. It can also occur on the skin after a cut, burn, or other types of skin injury.

Fungal infection seen in covid 19 patients is mainly rhino-cerebral mucormycosis.

It is not a black fungus, but the tissues in the affected areas get necrotized and become black in colour.

Symptoms 

Warning signs include pain and redness around the eyes or nose, with fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits, and altered mental status

According to the advisory, infection with mucormycetes should be suspected when there is:

* Sinusitis — nasal blockage or congestion, nasal discharge (blackish/bloody);

Headache,Facial pain

* Tooth pain, Loosening of teeth,Numbness, jaw involvement;

* Blurred or double vision with pain;

One side facial swelling and numbness 

* Thrombosis, necrosis, skin lesion resulting in blackish discoloration over the bridge of nose and upper jaw of mouth.

An increase in the use of corticosteroids in covid patients also results in mucormycosis.

 WHO ARE AT RISK?

Uncontrolled Diabetic

Immunocompromised patients such as cancer patients, organ transplant patients, stem cell transplant patients, HIV patients.

Neutropenia( low number of white blood cells)

Long-term corticosteroid use

Long-standing oxygen therapy

Iron overload

Treatment

If immediately treated can save the patient with anti-fungal drugs.

It may eventually require surgery.

 To control diabetes, reduce steroid use, and discontinue immunomodulating drugs.

Prevention

Good oral hygiene and face.

Diabetics should be controlled

Use masks if you are visiting dusty construction sites. 

Wear shoes, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, and gloves while gardening.

 Maintain personal hygiene including a thorough scrub bath.

by,

DR.RENJU T GEORGE,

INDIA