BLACK FUNGUS vs MUCORMYCOSIS same? Is it CONTAGIOUS? THESE people are most likely to get AFFECTED by it - everything explained here

Mucormycosis in India: The country is already fighting against the common enemy, that is the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to that, the rising cases of Mucormycosis, commonly identified as black fungus has been a cause of concern among the people. However, Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, New Delhi, at a media briefing held at the National Media Centre, PIB on Monday has assured that though the number of cases being reported is increasing, it is not a communicable disease, meaning it does not spread from one person to another, like the COVID-19 does. The AIIMS Director has also pointed out who have high chances of contracting this disease. 

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Dr. Guleria also advised against using the term 'black fungus' for Mucormycosis as it leads to a lot of confusion. He explained, "Black fungus is another family; this term got associated with Mucormycosis due to the presence of black dots among the culture of white fungal colonies. In general, there are various types of fungal infections such as candida, aspergillosis, cryptococcus, histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis. Mucormycosis, candida and aspergillosis are the ones observed more in those with low immunity." 

Notably, Mucormycosis is one of the general fungal infections being seen in recovering or recovered COVID-19 patients. While speaking about the high-risk category of people who are being infected with Mucormycosis, Dr. Guleria said, “90-95 percent of patients getting infected with Mucormycosis are found to have been either diabetic and/or taking steroids. This infection is seen very rarely in those who are neither diabetic nor taking steroids.”

Dr. Guleria suggested that The patients who are under high-risk category, that is, hose having uncontrolled diabetes, and using steroids and have COVID-19 positive with certain symptoms should immediately report the same to their doctors. He also pointed out the symptoms, "“Some warning signs for mucormycosis such as headache, rusting or bleeding from nose, swelling below the eye, lowering of facial sensation, if observed in high-risk patients or those taking steroids, need to be informed to doctors so that early diagnosis and treatment can be given.”