Mucormycosis in India: How to know if you have black fungal infection? Check SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT and all other details

Mucormycosis in India: A rise in the number of Mucormycosis or black fungus seems to make India's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic even more difficult. At a time when the country is already adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the cases of hard-to-treat fungal infection called black fungus or Mucormycosis is an added worry. Several Indian states have reported rise in the number of patients with this rare fungal infection. 

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According to DNA report, Gujarat has reported over 100 confirmed cases of black fungus, Surat has reported 40 cases and Maharashtra has reported 52 deaths. Now, people must be wondering what on Earth is this black fungus or Mucormycosis. 

What is black fungus or Mucormycosis? How is it caused? 

Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus or zygomycosis, is caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the fungi live in the environment, especially in soil and in decaying organic matters like leaves, compost piles, rotten wood, etc. This fungal infection is caused by a group of molds called 'mucromycetes'. It must be noted that this rare fungal infection affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body's ability to fight germs and sickness. 

According to an ANI report, recently, Randeep Guleria, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) stated that misuse of steroids is a major cause behind Mucormycosis. 

What are the symptoms of Mucormycosis? 

One must note the symptoms of Mucormycosis. They include Headache: 

1) Facial pain

2) Nasal congestion

3) Loss of vision or pain in the eyes

4) Swelling in cheeks and eyes

5) Black crusts in the nose

6) Coughing 

7) Bloody vomits 

8) Altered mental status

Notably, Guleria has urged hospitals to follow protocols of infection control practices because secondary infections like fungal and bacterial infections can be seen as COVID-19 cases are increasing and causing more mortality. 

How can Mucormycosis be treated? 

An anti-fungal intravenous injection which costs Rs 3,500 a dose and has to be administered every day for up to eight weeks is the only drug effective against the disease. In the month of March this year, the Drug Controller General of India, approved Mumbai-based bio-pharmaceutical firm Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited to use anti-fungal medication - Liposomal Amphotericin B or LAmB - as a medical intervention in patients of Mucormycosis.