Mucormycosis Fungal Infection Covid 19: EXPLAINED - BLACK FUNGUS in Coronavirus patients - Warning signs, symptoms, dos and donts

A new fungus called Mucormycosis or 'black fungus' is being reported in Covid 19 patients who are recovering and also those who have recovered. The Centre in an advisory said that this fungal infection can be fatal, if left untreated. 

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The advisory comes after Maharashtra and Gujarat claimed that said the cases of mucormycosis are rising among COVID-19 survivors, causing blindness or serious illness and even death in some cases. 

In the advisory issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Union health ministry, it was said that this infection mainly affects people who are on medication and reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens, reported india.com.

Earlier, during a press conference on May 7, the government had said Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) is detected mostly in diabetic patients. It had assured that there was no major outbreak, and the government was doing proper surveillance of the situation.

Warning sign and symptoms    
Covid 19 patients carrying this fungus may start noticing pain and redness around eyes and/or nose, fever, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits and altered mental status.  
In case of diabetic patients or immunosuppressed individuals, Sinusitis – nasal blockade or congestion, nasal discharge (blackish/bloody), local pain on the cheek bone One sided facial pain, numbness or swelling can be observed.

Blackish discoloration over bridge of nose/palate, toothache, loosening of teeth, jaw involvement, blurred or double vision with pain; fever, skin lesion; thrombosis & necrosis (eschar), Chest pain, pleural effusion, hemoptysis, worsening of respiratory symptoms can also be observed

Black Fungus: Dos and Don't
-Control hyperglycemia
-Monitor blood glucose level post COVID-19 discharge and also in diabetics
-Use steroid judiciously – correct timing, correct dose and duration
-Use clean, sterile water for humidifiers during oxygen therapy
-Use antibiotics/antifungals judiciously
-Do not miss warning signs and symptoms
-Do not consider all the cases with blocked nose as cases of bacterial sinusitis, particularly in the context of immunosuppression and/or COVID-19 patients on immunomodulators
-Do not hesitate to seek aggressive investigations, as appropriate (KOH staining & microscopy, culture, MALDITOF), for detecting fungal etiology
-Do not lose crucial time to initiate treatment for mucormycosis