The threat of pandemic COVID- 19 is not over yet but the news regarding COVID-19 vaccines brought a sense of relief for everyone. Again another threat is alarming its arrival which is ‘Black’fungal disease or mucormycosis. Although this disease is rare but not new. According to media reports, ‘Black’ fungal disease is picking up its head getting provoked by COVID- 19. This disease is not widespread till now but is an alarm to stay careful. Out of a total of 44 cases of this infection found in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, at least 9 patients have died suffering from this infection. Some patients have also lost their eyesight suffering from this infection.
As per doctors, this disease is serious but rare. Due to COVID-19, it’s getting ample scope for spreading infections. The risk of this infection is more in the case of recovered COVID- 19 patients. A group of molds called mucormycetes are responsible for this infection known as ‘Black’ fungal disease. These mucormycetes easily attacks people who have previously health problems and also people who take medicines which lower their body resistance capacity to fight against foreign germs. A person gets affected by this fungus when he inhales the fungal spores from air.
The symptoms of this disease varies as it depends on the place or part of the body where the fungus settle down and start growing.
If the fungus grows in the sinus and brain, The symptoms found are :
- One-sided facial swelling
- Headache
- Nasal or sinus congestion
- Black lesions on nasal bridge or upper inside of the mouth
- Fever
If the fungus grows in the lungs, the symptoms found are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
If the fungus grows on the skin, the symptoms found are :
- Blisters or ulcers
- The infected area may turn black, pain, excessive redness
- Swelling around wound
If the fungus grows in the gastrointestinal part, the symptoms found are :
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Such serious fungal infection like mucormycosis needs proper medical treatment with prescribed antifungal medicines like amphotericin B, Posaconazole, isavuconazole… In worst cases, surgery needs to be done to cut the infected tissue from the patient’s body.
