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BLACK FUNGUS



The first case of mucormycosis was possibly one described by Friedrich Küchenmeister in 1855.

Mucormycosis, colloquially known as black fungus, is a serious fungal infection seen in far smaller numbers in India before Covid-19. But it is now affecting post-Covid patients in large numbers.


BLACK FUNGUS FOUND?

Mucormycosis is a very rare infection. It is caused by exposure to mucor mold is commonly found in soil, plants, manure, and decaying fruits and vegetables. It is ubiquitous and found in soil and air and even in the nose and mucus of healthy people.


How does one catch black fungus? Primarily, fungal spores in the environment give people this infection. One may also catch it when the fungus "enters the skin through a cut, burn, or other types of skin trauma."


On coming in touch, the fungus can stick to a body part, and after a point travel inward through the nose, sinus, or lungs.

The use of ordinary tap water inflow meters of oxygen cylinders is also being blamed for such fungal infections. Cases may be triggered by "mold-tainted oxygen pipes and humidifiers".

Mucormycosis cases are also rising because of overuse of cheap steroids — seen in cases where there is a need to bring an exaggerated inflammatory response to Covid under control. Steroids suppress the immune response, which can increase vulnerability to secondary infections like black fungus.


SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of mucormycosis depend on where in the body the fungus is growing.

Symptoms of rhinocerebral (sinus and brain) mucormycosis include:

  • One-sided facial swelling

  • Headache

  • Nasal or sinus congestion

  • Black lesions on the nasal bridge or upper inside of the mouth that quickly become more severe

  • Fever

Symptoms of pulmonary (lung) mucormycosis include:

  • Fever

  • Cough

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

Cutaneous (skin) mucormycosis can look like blisters or ulcers, and the infected area may turn black. Other symptoms include pain, warmth, excessive redness, or swelling around a wound.

Symptoms of gastrointestinal mucormycosis include:

  • Abdominal pain

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Gastrointestinal bleeding

Disseminated mucormycosis typically occurs in people who are already sick from other medical conditions, so it can be difficult to know which symptoms are related to mucormycosis. Patients with disseminated infection in the brain can developmental status changes or coma.


Black Fungus Treatment:

  • Mucormycosis treatment must be fast and aggressive. The concern is that the patient has often suffered significant tissue damage, which cannot be reversed by the time even a presumptive diagnosis is made.

  • most patients will need surgical and medical treatment.

  • Most infectious disease experts say that the patient is likely to die without aggressive surgical debridement of the infected area.

  • Medicines play an important role. Two main aims are sought simultaneously: antifungal drugs to slow or stop the fungal spread and drugs to treat debilitating underlying diseases.

  • Amphotericin B (initially intravenous) is the usual drug of choice for antifungal therapy.

  • Patients with underlying diseases like diabetes need to be in optimal control of their diabetes.


Be aware of this, even after covid, don't take it easy. If you're diabetic, keep your sugar under control, if you have any of the symptoms mentioned, Get Yourself Tested the doctor can write CTPNS or MRI of PNS, this can be detected early, and treatment can be effective.





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