All You Need To Know About Mucormycosis Or Black Fungus

Mucormycosis is a type of fungal infection, which is usually very rare.

India has been witnessing a lot of cases of Mucormycosis or black fungal infection for the last few days now. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has been burdened with the rising amount of this infection, which has adversely affected a lot of people.

What is Mucormycosis?

It is a type of fungal infection, which is very rare and is caused by a fungus belonging to the Mucorales family. It can be very serious if one contracts it.

One can contract Mucormycosis by breathing in the fungus' spores which might be present in the air. It can also cause infection to the skin if there are cuts or burns present on it.

There are various types of such Mucorales moulds that are naturally present in the environment. They are found in soil, and decaying organic matter, such as fruits and vegetables.

However, not everyone is vulnerable to them. People who have burns, cuts, HIV, diabetes, etc, are more prone to getting infected.

What is the relation between Mucormycosis and COVID-19?

Many patients who are getting treated for COVID-19 are now vulnerable to this fungal infection. Doctors have said that most COVID-19 patients who are getting treated with the help of steroids are getting Mucormycosis. This is because the steroids while fighting off the coronavirus, is also reducing the effectiveness of the body's immune system, and increasing blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. This reduction in immunity is making many patients vulnerable to getting infected with Mucormycosis.

"Diabetes lowers the body's immune defences, coronavirus exacerbates it, and then steroids which help fight COVID-19 act like fuel to the fire," said Dr Nair, who is currently working in three hospitals in Mumbai.

Symptoms and treatment

The black fungal infection mainly occurs in the sinus, brain, lungs, and skin. It can also happen in the gastrointestinal tract and other parts of the body. It can show several symptoms such as:

1. Headache
2. Nasal or sinus congestion
3. Fever
4. Black lesions on nasal bridge, inside the mouth
5. Cough
6. Chest pain
7. Redness on skin
8. Swelling around a wound
9. Abdominal pain
10. Blindness

Antifungal medications are given to curb the infection. Some common medicines include amphotericin B, posaconazole, isavuconazole, etc. Most of these medications are given orally or via IV. Removal of infected areas of the body is done in serious cases.