WHAT IS BLACK FUNGUS(MUCORMYCOSIS)?

In this article we are going to see about black fungus(mucormycosis)....

What is Black fungus infection(mucormycosis)?

• Black fungus, also known as Mucormycosis, is a rare but dangerous infection. Black fungus is caused by getting into contact with fungus spores in the environment. It can also form in the skin after the fungus enters through a cut, scrape, burn, or another type of skin trauma.

• Fungi live in the environment, particularly in soil and decaying organic matter such as leaves, compost piles, rotten wood, and so on. This fungal infection is caused by a type of mould known as 'mucromycetes’. It should be noted that this rare fungal infection affects persons who have health issues or who use drugs that weaken the body's ability to fight the infections.

Black Fungus Causes

• Mucormycetes are a type of mould that causes fungal infections. These moulds can be found everywhere in the environment, including soil, air, and food. They enter the body via the nose, mouth, or eyes and can have an impact on the brain if it is not treated on time. According to medical experts, the main cause of black fungus (mucormycosis) is steroid misuse during COVID treatment.

• Black fungus (mucormycosis) primarily affects people who have health problems or who take medications that reduce the body's ability to fight germs and illness. The person's immunity is low after covid treatment, which makes them vulnerable to black fungus infection. People with diabetes and COVID-19 patients are at greater risk of developing an infection.

Black Fungus Symptoms

The symptoms of black fungus will vary depending on where the fungus is growing in your body. They may include the following:

• Fever
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling on one side of your face
• Headache
• Sinus congestion
• Black lesions on the top of the nose or the inside of the mouth
• Belly pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Blood in your stool
• Diarrhea

If your skin is infected, the affected area may appear blistered, red, or swollen. It may turn black, feel warm, or be painful. Through your blood, the infection can also spread to other parts of your body. This is referred to as disseminated black fungus (mucormycosis). When this occurs, the fungus can attack organs such as your spleen and heart. In severe cases, you may experience mental changes or fall into a coma. It can even be fatal.

Black Fungus Preventions

Preventive measures to be followed

• Humidifier cleaning and replacement (for those using Oxygen Concentrators)

• The humidifier bottle should be sterilized with normal saline and refilled on a regular basis.

• Masks should be disinfected regularly, and they should not be used for weeks.

• Those who use steroids should also monitor their blood sugar levels.

• During the COVID-19 therapy, mortified oxygen should be utilized

• Practicing good hygiene and maintaining the cleanliness of their surroundings

• Brushing and gargling daily is extremely beneficial.

• If you have recovered from COVID, it is critical to wear masks to prevent the infection from entering the body.

• Diabetics patients must keep their diabetes under control and monitor their blood glucose levels.

• These must be monitored, especially after infection with Covid-19. 

• Steroid use is to be reduced, and immunomodulating drugs are to be discontinued

Do's and Don’ts to reduce the risk of Black fungus infection (mucormycosis)

Do's	Don’ts
Control hyperglycemia	Do not ignore warning signs and symptoms
Monitor blood glucose levels after COVID-19 administration, as well as in diabetics	Don’t consider that all cases of the blocked nose are caused by bacterial sinusitis, particularly in immunocompromised patients or COVID-19 patients on immunomodulators.
Steroids should be used with caution: Correct timing, doses, and duration	For detecting fungal etiology, do not be afraid to conduct aggressive investigations (KOH staining and microscopy, culture, MALDI-TOF)
Use sterile and clean water in humidifiers during oxygen therapy	Do not spend much time before starting treatment for mucormycosis.
Use antibiotics/ antifungals carefully

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.

I  think, now you understood about black fungus.