Black Fungus Infection Symptoms, Treatment, Causes

As per the latest reports, the number of people dying from black fungus is increasing. Experts quoted it calling ‘Pandemic within Pandemic’.

Here is everything you need to know about the Black Fungus – Causes, Treatment, and Cautions.

What is Fungus?

Fungus is organisms separated from human and animal kingdoms.

They are found everywhere in the nature from soil, plants, air, water, and also in humans and animals.

There are about 144,000 species of fungi. Some of these are harmful or pathogenic to humans.

The most common ones are Histoplasma and Mucoromycetes.

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How do Fungi affect Humans?

As mentioned, Fungi is present everywhere.

Our body mechanisms keep fighting against these omnipresent organisms.

But once the immune system becomes weak, these organisms take an upper hand and unleash lethal infections.

In general, fungi do not cause any infections in humans but it can cause sickness and weaken the immune system.

This will in turn create ‘opportunistic infections.’ Some of the infections include.

Breach in skin
Nail infections
Ringworm
Cutaneous infections following trauma
Sinus infections and lung infections
Gastro or intestinal effects in some cases

What does Fungus Effect?

A fungus invades the body tissues.

These can cause diseases confined to the skin but sometimes it spreads to bones and organs and, also affects the whole body.

People with reduced immune response are more susceptible to fungal infections.

Conditions which decrease immune capability include:

Diabetes: High blood sugars invite the rapid growth of fungal organisms. Diabetes also reduces immune responses
Blood malignancies, hematologic or blood cancer which results in the defective immune system
Hematological stem cell recipients, patients with excess iron intake
People taking steroids will also be prone to high blood sugar levels which decreases the immune response of the body
Infections can also be caused due to trauma or post-trauma

What is Black Fungus or Mucormycosis?

Mucormycosis is the academic name for the Black Fungus. It is a serious but rare fungal infection. It is caused by a group of molds called ‘mucoromycetes’.

These molds are omni-present in the nature and effect people who have health problems or take medicines that decrease body immunity.

The Fungus commonly affects the sinuses and the lungs.

This can happen when a person inhales fungal spores present in the air. It can sometimes travel into depths of respiratory system.

This can destroy the lung tissues and compromise blood oxygen. From there, it can also spread into the blood circulation resulting in lethal existential crisis.

Why is it occurring in COVID-19 Patients?

The ones undergoing oxygen therapy in ICU where humidifiers are used were found affected by the fungus. Humidifiers may cause infection due to exposure to moisture
The use of ordinary tap water in flow meters of oxygen cylinders
Mould tainted oxygen pipers and humidifiers
Unnecessary or excessive steroid consumption
Some doctors argued that the root of black fungus is due to patients taking home COVID-19 treatment without bringing blood sugar levels into control
Some experts have also said that most of the patients are the ones with unhygienic practices
Poorly ventilated rooms and air-conditioning

Is Black Fungus contagious?

The disease is not communicable or contagious. It does not spread from one person to other unlike viruses.

What are the Symptoms of Black Fungus?

Common symptoms of the disease include:

Discoloration of nose or tongue
Blurry vision
Breathing problems and subsequent chest pain
Coughing along with blood
Fever, cough, and headache
The black lesion in the mouth and vomiting
Darkening of skin, peeling, and rashes
Deformed toenail and itching
Vaginal discharge in women

Is Black Fungus lethal and life-threatening?

Experts claim that these infections are highly life-threatening. If not treated, it could lead to death in most cases.

The mortality rate at present is 25% to 90%. Importance must be given to early diagnosis and measures must be taken to avoid the disease.

Treatment and Diagnosis

Amphotericin-B injection is the major treatment for this fungal infection.

If found infected, a patient must be kept under the supervision of eye surgeons, ENT specialists, and neurosurgeons.

As a part of life saving procedures, infected tissues need to be surgically removed which is why some people end up losing eye sight and in some cases, upper jaw.

Once the clinical or radiological diagnosis is made, endoscopic evaluation of nasal cavity is made which can confirm fungal lesion.

If confirmed, immediate surgical de-bulking is must.

The surgery involves removing eye socket contents which leads to loss of vision. If the infection is spread to the brain, intracranial decompression is made.

Do’s

Control high blood sugar levels
Monitor blood sugar levels, Total Blood counts regularly post-COVID recovery
Use clean and sterile water in the humidifier for oxygen therapy
Use steroids only if prescribed by the doctors
Maintain high immunity and balanced diet
Maintain hygienic practices
Consult a psychologist in cases of trauma. Avoid posttraumatic effects. Trauma can cause Cutaneous Fungal Infections (CFI)

Don’ts

Do not neglect or overlook the symptoms of Black Fungus
Do not take blocked nose or usual cough lightly especially after recovery from COVID-19
Beware of Steroids
Beware of misinformation circulation and do not follow any practices blindly